SUBMARINE WAR

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9621, 29 March 1917, Page 5

SUBMARINE WAR

ARMED LINER ST. LOUIS REACHES LIVERPOOL WITHOUT SIGHTING U-BOATS. By Tclosrapli—Press Association— CopyHab* Australian anti X.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, Watch 27. The- St. Louis lias arrived at Liverpool from New York. She is tUo first liner armed fore and aft to cross the Atlantic. There arc many correspondents on hoard. No submarines wore sighted. Darrels with periscopes attached were set afloat on the "“!■ and wore hit a!, two miles' range. The St. Louis brought thirty-throe passengers, including five ladies, Lord Eurness, and Sir Joseph Martin, M.J ■ Captain Hartley and an American naval officer were on the bridge for sevonty-ono hours. RECALCITRANT HUN PRISONERS DISCOVER ERROR OF THEIR WAYS. lly Telegraph— Press Association- Capyrlsh* Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, March 27. A number of German war prisoneis refused to do quarrying work unless they received increased pay and rations. Disciplinary action was taken, and the prisoners returned to work.

IMPERIAL PREFERENCE RESOLUTIONS BY MEMBERS OF LORDS AND COMMONS. [iy Telegraph—Pres a Association— Copyricha Ans. and N.Z. Cable Assn, and Boater. LONDON, March 27. A mooting of members of the House of Lords and the House of Commons, supporting the principle of Imperial preference, resolved, in.view of the resolution of the Paris Economic Conference in Juno. 1916. and of the fact that Lord Balfour of Burleigh s committee reported in favour of the adoption of a policy of preference and commercial treaties with the Allies, to request the Government to submit the Paris resolutions and Lord Balfour of Burleigh’s committee’s report to the Imperial War Cabinet; and the conference further requests the Government forthwith to set up machinery to give effect to the resolutions and carry out a policy ot Imperial preference, in accordance with Mr Asquith’s announcement to Parliament in February, B> l6 , Biat it was not intended t 0 wait for peace to give effect to the Paris resolutions. MAGEBONIAH_ THEATRE flv Toleeraph—Pres* Association— Copyrlch* Aus. and N Z. Cable Assn, and Heater. (Received March 28. 8.55 p.m.) LONDON, March 27. A French Macedonian communique states: We captured a quarter of a mile of trenches in the direction of Ooost and Ceroenastena. The Italians supported our artillery and broke an attempted Bulger attack. THE EAST LONDON EXPLOSION REPORT OF HOME SECRETARY’S committee. Telegraph—Pros* association— Coprrlet* ' Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn, and Koutor. (Received March 28, 8.55 p.m.) LONDON, March 27. , The Press Bureau announces that the Home Secretary’s Committee report on the explosion in East London on January 19th states that it was preceded by a fire in a melting pot. How it started the evidence is insufficient to determine, but all accidental causes presenting any degree of probability may be eliminated, except by a detonation spark arising from friction or impact, or, secondly, spontaneous ignition due to the decomposition of materials in and about the melting pot. The Committee’s various recommendations regarding future precautions in handling the explosive concerned is now being followed. persons were killed on the spot, ninetyeight were seriously wounded, of whom four died, and 328 were slightly injured, besides from 500 to 600 who received cuts and bruises that were treated on the streets.

EFFECT OF BRITISH BLOCKADE CESSATION OF OVERSEA SUPPLIES FOR ENEMY. Hy Telegraph—Press Association —Copyrleb' Heater’s Telegrams, (Received March 28, 9.30 p.m.) / LONDON, March 27. In the House of Commons, replying to criticisms regarding the effectiveness of the blockade. Lord Robert Cecil, Minister for Blockades, declared that the tightening of the blockade had resulted in the complete cessation of oversea importations into enemy countries. He admitted that the, question of Home produce for neutrals adjoining Germany was much more difficurt. Ho was of opinion that the only way to stop such exports getting to Germany was by agreement with neutrals. For example, Norway had agreed to restrict trade with Germany provided we supplied her with refined copper. Lord Robert Cecil proceeded to show that there was a steadily-increasing diversion of Danish and Dutch agricultural products to England instead of going to Germany. He emphatically declared that Denmark had honestly endcavoured to carry out the terms of the existing agreement. He would he deceiving the country if ho did not say there was the greatest shortage of food in Germany as the result of the blockade; also of wool, cotton, lubricants and other necessities. Ho was disinclined to disbelieve the repeated wellauthenticated reports of food riots in Germany.