GENERAL ITEMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16545, 19 November 1915, Page 5

GENERAL ITEMS

ROBBED OF ITS PREY. GERMAN DESTROYER BAULKED. .GUARDING SWEDEN'S NEUTRALITY. LONDON, November 17. Reuter's Copenhagen correspondent records a sensational incident in the Baltic. The British steamer Thelma left Trelleborg bound for Gothenburg, when a German destroyer in the vicinity of Lands-/ krona chased her into Swedish territory. The Swedish torpedo-boat pollud approached as the Germans were boarding the Thelma, forcing them to return to their destroyer. The Pollud then ran between the two vessels, and her captain informed the Germans that he would use any means necessary to prevent the steamer's capture. Both warships cleared for action and lay for some minutes opposite to each other in ominous silence, when the destroyer sullenly withdrew, leaving the Swedes in possession of the field. BRITISH DEFENCE COMMITTEE. ABSORBED IN WAR COUNCIL. LONDON, November 17. Mr Asquith has announced ( that the Imperial Defence Committee will be absorbed in the War Committee. MINES IN ENGLISH CHANNEL. HOSPITAL SHIP SUNK. RESCUING SHIP ALSO LOST. LONDON, November 17. The hospital ship Anglia was mined m the English Channel to-day. Out of 375 aboard about 300 were saved. Another mine sank a rescuing ship. THE KING'S SYMPATHY. LONDON,' November 17. (Received Nov. 18, at 7.15 p.m.) His Majesty the King has written to Mr Balfour : "lam shocked at the loss of the Anglia, which recently brought me across the Channel. I grieve at the loss incurred, and trust that the survivors haive not unduly suffered from their terrible exposure. My heartfelt sympathies are with the families of those who perished." FOULED A FLOATING MINE. THE RESCUE WORK. LONDON, November 18. (Received Nov. 18, at 10.25 p.m.) The Anglia fouled a floating mine at mid-day. She listed heavily, but floated for Z0 minutes. Several warships raced to her assistance, and found the Anglia badly down by the head. One vessel passed under her stern and took off 40 men, of whom two died on board.