SPECIAL WAR CABLES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLII, Issue 12821, 17 April 1916, Page 3

SPECIAL WAR CABLES.

(Tina's and Syduey Sun Services.) fUv Ei.Etrritic Telhjbaph—CoprmcHT.] J'er I'kess Association. ItKITISH SHIPPING XEEDS. SOMTfOX OK THE PROBLEM. INDUSTRIAL COMPULSION MAY UK NEEDED. Loudon. A|»ri! 14. The London Times' naval correspondent, says that on Thursday the submarine toll showed an increase, six •.hips having been reported attacked or mined. It was just possible that the severity of tlie outburst in Home waters was waning, but it continued in the Mediterranean. ] ft is stated that the total withdrawal j of toiinaue amounts to 50 per cent. Of this, 5 per cent., forms the approximate war losses, 5 per cent, wastage, and 40 per cent, is due u> naval and military requirements. Lloyds returns show that -12-1 merI chantmen were under construction last quarter, just sufficient to make up. the I wastage caused by the enemy. The completion of these ships is another matter, as the Xavy has the tirst call on labor. If the submarine campaign grows, it is possible that industrial compulsion may become necessary for the solution of" the problem. A shipowner, writing to the Daily Mail, says that the closing of the. North Sea after satisfying neutral needs is a remedy for the shortage of tonnage. There is still sufficient allied and neutral tlimiage for the world's need, but ir-liilo we permit neutrals to carry cast quantities of goods destined for Germany we cannot expect to have j enough for our own requirements.

PREPARATIONS IN YSER SECTOR. STRENGTH OK THE ALLIES. GERMANY STILL ASSEMBLING HER STRENGTH. London, April 14. The Daily Mail'p correspondent at Rotterdam says that the British strength in tho Yprcs sector has given the enemy a rude shock. Delivering a local attack on one reported weak position they were repulsed after a fierce liaud-to-iiand fight. German troops and guns continue to arrive at the Yser, where the next great battle is expected. FRENCH M UXITIOX MANUFACTURE. TREMENDOUS ALL-ROUND INCREASE. London, April 14. Mr Warner Allen, reporting concerning the French munition production, says that, taking the figure 1 as the normal output in August, J914. the prodnction of licit! gnus and shells rose to 14. Bv Mav, 1915, it had risen to 20; by December, 1915. to 30£. In February. 1916. the output of all the larger shells had increased to 44, and the production of heavy guns was 33 times greater, and of field guns 23 times greater than in the first month of the war. The Government powder factories' output had doubled and other establishments were 23 times greater. MANUFACTURE OF MUNITIONS: AN ENEMY MACHINE WANTED. Received April 17. at 9.5 a.m. London, April 15. Two munitions firms —one at Birmingham and uiioiher. at Sheffield—applied to 'the- Patent Court for permission to" manufacture a Krnpp_ machine on the plan of one in the. Royal College of Science, South Kensington, and used for magnetically separating wolfram from ore. Krupp's agent opposed the application. The' applicants offer 5 per cent, royalties, stating that, the machine-is urgently needed in' Connection with the manufacture' of muni, tions. The Comptroller decided to recommend the'granting ofi the- applications, \ - , , v ' "~. ■' _ ~"