BELLIGERENTS' MERCHANTMEN

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9092, 10 July 1915, Page 8

BELLIGERENTS' MERCHANTMEN

ENTITLED TO CARRY AND USE ARMAMENTS. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright' LONDON, "July 8. The Foreign. Office announces that belligerents’ merchantmen are entitled to carry and use' armaments in selfdefence. This principle has been generally recognised, and British ships so armed have been trading regularly to various countries since an early stage of the war. SATISFACTIONJN THE ARMY INCREASED OUTPUT OF MUNITIONS. . n By Telegraph—Preaa Association —Copyright LONDON, "July 8. Parliament’s creation of an UnderSecretaryship of Munitions has stimulated effort and created satisfaction in tho Army. , There has been an increased output. Inspired by the prodigious efforts of Britain and Russia, exports declare that the most important problem is now solved for all the Allies. A GERMAN EXPLANATION VIOLATION OF MAILBAGS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright STOCKHOLM, July 8. The German explanation of the capture of mailbags from the steamer Bjoern is that several mailbags hidden under the cargo were suspiciously heavy. They were opened and found to contain contraband wireentters destined for England, and were confiscated. [Tho Foreign Office announced on tho sth instant that letters bearing (the German censorship label, lately received in England, established tho fact that when the mail steamers Bjoern and Thorsten were captured closed mailbags from Russia and Sweden were opened, contrarv to the First Article of tho Hague Convention of 1907.3