THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES MONDAY, APRIL 16, 1917. ATTACKS ON HOSPITAL SHIPS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16979, 16 April 1917, Page 4

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES MONDAY, APRIL 16, 1917. ATTACKS ON HOSPITAL SHIPS.

The catalogue of German crimes against humanity, honour, and international law has developed into the most terrible black-list in which a nation claiming to be civilised could figure. In her latest frenzied attempt to make good her boasts about the effectiveness of her submarines to sweep the mercantile marine of the Allies from the North Sea she is attacking everything afloat that has the smallest chance of retaliating. Many merchant vessels have now acquired powers of resistance not at all to her liking, and the most sanguine supporters of her policy of unrestricted submarining cannot be inwardly convinced that, ii what she is doing at present is the she can do, she can enjoy real hope of forcing the Allies to come to terms with her by sheer pressure of their shijjping losses. But the Germans are at present out to destroy tonnage, great and small, and are only wallowing a degree deeper in cold-blooded depravity in the noticeable activity they have shown of late in selecting as targets vessels to which any belligerent with a vestige of a sense of honour still remaining would give safe conduct. Presumably the German reasoning is that the sinking of a hospital sliip means the withdrawal from the allied mercantile fleet of another large steamer to take her place, and consequently so much furtherance of the German object, which recks not at all of the means employed for its accomplishment. In any case German honour was already so befoliled that the systematic attack which is now being clearly made against the Red Cross, the calculated disregard of its sacred .privileges, is only to be accepted as so much further evidence of the insatiable venom of the monster which the Allies are determined to render harmless and with which the United States has found that no alternative to war is possible. The cablegrams of this morning give word of the loss of two more hospital ships—the G-loucester Castle, torpedoed without warning in the Channel, and the Salta, apparentlv mined in the same locality. In the former instance the committal of a calculated crime is the more unquestionable since the loss of the vessel is recorded in a German official report, and the deed loses nothing of its blackness in the fact that the vessel had 011 board a complement of wounded soldiers, whom fortunately through the heroic work of the R.A.M.C., there was opportunity to save. It is scarcely more than three i weeks since the British hospital ship ! Astur'as was torpedoed under circumstances disclosing a particularly callous determination on the part of the enemy to accomplish her destruction, and only the fact that the great vessel had no wounded on board a fact unknown to the enemy—prevented the catastrophe from beinc infinitely worse than it was! Shortly . after that incident Dr Macnamara, Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, stated 111 the House of Commons that six hospital ships had been either torpedoed or mined during the war peiiod, and that 247 deaths were involved. The cynical German comment on the sinking of the Asturias was that the British habitually abused the hospital ship service for the transport of troops and munitions. Being addicted to the practice of misusing the Red Cross themselves, as correspondents at British headquarters have testified, the Germans apparently find it very natural to credit their enemies with similar unscrupulousness. Mainly the German allegation will have been made for the benefit of neutrals, but the most, important neutral of all lias not been deceived. President Wilson's reference in his war speech to Congress to the enormity 01 the lengths t-o which Germany was gorng in waging war upon hospital ships and ships carrying, relief to the Belgians leave no doubt on that point.

It is evident that Germany has leached such a stage of savagery and desperation that she no longer cares a straw for the opinion of tiie whole world, but is determined to he a law . unto herself. Her attacks on ships employed by the Belgian Relief Commission are in keeping with her war upon the Red Cross and all that it symbolises. She gave her undertaking her scrap of paper" that these vessels, carrying food to a population reduced to starvation by her deliberate neglect of her own obligations, should not bo interfered with. Two or three weeks ago it was announced that twelve steamers had been lost since the Relief Commission started work, live of them since the unrestricted submarine campaign began in February. The numbers being steadily increased, just as the number of hospital ships attacked lias been increased. Within the last few days the sinking of three relief ships has been recorded. One of tlieso was the Norwegian steamer Carmilla, which was torpedoed without warning, and the account of this incident states that nine survivors and two corpses were landed from the doomed vessel, the party having been five days in an open boat, in the case of another relief vessel, also tor- ! pedoed without warning, it was recorded that twenty-four of the crew were brought to Ymuiden, many of them wounded owing to the submarine shelling the boats. 1 The sinister catalogue of crime grows almost daily. The Germans have shown that to win the war they would bathe in blood and. horror, and that to avert defeat they would find no crime too horrible, no infamy too degiading, that would serve their end or even minister to their hate. The Foreign Office lias announced that attacks on hospital ships would be followed by reprisals. Of what nature these wore to be was not disclosed, and the fate of the Gloucester Castle suggests that, if they have been

pub into practice, they have either been rather long delayed or not very eltective as a deterrent. But for a nation that is governed by ideals such as those for which the Allies are fighting t-o take reprisals on a nation that is under the spell of the savage distemper with wJiich Germany is convulsed is not easy. The great reprisal must be tho winning of the war, when Germany should find by how much her crimes against humanity will weight the balance against her.

It is to be feared that the biennial elections of members of local governing bodies are not exciting- that measure of public interest which they merit. Indeed the fact that the nominations last week of candidates to represent tho electors of Greater Dunedin on the Harbour Board were fower than the vacancies that were to be filled pointed to tho existence of a remarkable and regrettable apathy respecting tho composition of a local authority the operations of which dating the next few years will require specially skilful direction—in which connection the retirement of Mr E. C. Ilazlett from the membership of the board is to be regarded as distinctly unfortunate, for his business experience and sound judgment ihavo been highly valuable to it. The importance of the business .that has to be transacted by the City Council and Hospital Board, is not lessened by the occurrence ol the war. In fact, ■it may fairly be said that, in. a sense, it is now more desirable than ever that the affairs' of these bodies should be administered by persons who recognise that the maintenance of efficiency in the public services should be accompanied by the observance of economy and are prepared to employ their efforts to that end. The nominations for, tho election of members to these bodies close to-day, and we hope that they will result in' the electors being offered a selection that will admit of their securing able representation on both bodies.

We are wholly at a los 3 to understand Councillor Black's complaint against the press of Dunedin in connection with the mayoral election. Apparently we are charged with having conspired with our contemporary to suppress the publication of any matter that might not assist the candidature of the retiring Mayor. The charge is not accompanied by any specific illustration of a lack of fairness on the part of the press, but is couched merely in general terms. It is safer to make a charge <of the kind in. general terms, particularly when it is impossible to adduce any specific evidence hi substantiation of it. Councillor Green, whose candidature for the mayoralty is being supported by Councillor Black, does not seem to have associated himself with the allegation. We shaU be surprised if he does so. It would be quite foreign to the policy of this paper to suppress the publication of any matter of a reasonable character in favour of an aspirant for any public office simply because his candidature was not supported by ourselves, and it is a sufficient answer to Councillor Black to say, with respect to the present mayoral contest, that there has been no discrimination whatever on our part in favour of Mr Clark as against Councillor Green in our treatment of any communications that have been received by us or in our reports of the proceedings in connection with the election/

The new order of voluntary rationing which, has been introduced in, the Old .Country has given a fresh interest to the question of the food requirements of the individual. In Australia and New Zealand, both lands of plenty, the average standard of living is high, aaid it is safe to say that economy in respect of food consumption, as the dlder countries know it, is conspicuous for its absence. Lord Devonport lias asked people in the Old Country to limit their consumption to four pounds of • bread, two and a-half pounds of meat, and three-quarters of a pound of sugar per head per week. This is estimated to be sufficient to keep the individual in full health and energy. What Australians' and New Zealanders would think if t'liey were asked to conform to such a regime might well cause some wonder. Probably a large proportion of them would imagine that starvation was impending. Sir Thomas Anderson Stuart, the eminent Sydney physiologist, has expressed the conviction that the waste in the preparation and consumption of food in Australia is shocking. The generally excessive consumption, he said a few nights ago, 'has been recently emphasised by an award in the Industrial Court of Queensland. Under this award known as the " Dickson award," the employer of sugar-mill and sugar-field ■workers is required, in addition to an "extraordinary" - scale of wages, to provide the following quantities of food' at the rate of so many pounds weight per annum per man .-—Fresh meat 7281b, as .against the average consumption in New South Wales of 2501b and an average in the United Kingdom of 1091b'• potatoes, 5201b, as against the New South Wales average consumption of 1811b • flour, including bread and other starchy foods expressed as flour, 5261b, as against the New South Wales average of 2531b; sugar, 1561b, as against the New South Wales average of 1031b and the United Kingdom average of 751b. But this does not tell the whole amount, since the award also orders large quantities of (various sugar-containing foods and other articles of diet in numerous detail, not to mention butter and cheese to,the tune of 521b, as against the New South Wales average of 29!b, and the British average of °191b. Tlie generosity of this allowance will be the more evident when it is observed tihat Lord Devonport's ration for the Old Country i 3 equivalent for each person per year to 2081b of bread, 1301b of meat, and 391b of sugar.

Pi.rhaps it is a trifle misleading to coinpare in such, a connection the average diet of a selected body of workers with the average for the whole community and to pass judgment accordingly.' But Sir Thomas Anderson Stuart is careful to tost the "Dickson award" by a rigidly scientific standard. As he points out, the quantity of energy developed by the food can be measured, and the result expressed in a unit of measurement called a calorie. Physiologists are agreed that a man engaged in active outdoor life requires 3500 calories from his food, while a man of a sedentary occupation needs only about ' „ Analysis of tho "Dicksor award conducts to the conclusion that if the food were of the poorest quality the yield of energy could nofc bo less than 5500 calories, while if it were of tho best quality the quantities prescribed would yield no less than 9500 calorics. Since it, may be assumed that the men affected by the award will see to it that they get the best quality procurable, the conclusion is readied that the yield of energy from that food will be more than twice, probably three times, what is allowed bv physiologists for the outdoor life of "a farmer in Europe. Sir Thomas Anderson Stuart strengthens his argument bv pointing out that a review of the dietscales of the army, the navy, the mercantile marine, and of .many other services entirely confirms the figure of 3500 calories as adequate in respect of food requirements, while it is on this basis that these men are fighting tho Empire's battles to-day. Concerning the " Dickson award!" ho offers a commentary that seems both well-grounded and.timely: *' There aro many direction.® in which j this award may bo disastrous by, as it were, giving official sanction to such a wasteful expenditure of food, but at the moment I am using it as a particular in*tanca. of a .general-etato of -matter* pro-

valenfc throughout the commonwealth, and Uie sooner we set about putting our house in order Iho sooner will we be in a posi- < tiou to bear the burden "which is corning." A voice so raised is one to which the public should give intelligent hearing in days like these.

The Hon. W. Fraser, Minister of Public Works, arrived in Dunedin on Saturday evening from tho north. Tho Minister will ' leave for a tour of his constituency by tho first express this morning. To-day ho will visit Gore, and then proceed to Waikaka, Ho will spend to-night in Gore, and to-morrow will visit Riversdalo and Waikaia Tho Minister will also call at P>alfour, Lumsdcn, Queenstown, Pembroke, Cromwell, and Clyde. Ho expects to return) to Dunedin on Saturday evening. In reply to a question by a Daily Times reporter, tho Minister stated that all the work authorised last session of Parliament will be gono on with, but there js no money at present for new works.

In an article in tho New York Times, Mr Sui.phen, in speaking of an .order received from tho British Government for submarine chasers, says: " Our first contract with the English was for 50 boats. Although wo do not know just what they did with them wo do know that soon after the first of fcicm had been delivered and put to work, tho British sent over a rush contract for fCO more of tho-samo pattern. We finished and delivered tho last of the batch on October 31 last year, although tho contract did not for tho delivery of tho entire outfit until December 15. Tho English declared all along that it would 'bo a physical impossibility for us to do tho work on tiir.e, but wo finished six weeks ahead, and in less than 550 days after getting the first contract. On getting under way wc turned out tne boats at tho rate of thrco a day." Tho article indicated that it was proposed to build thousands of theee boats, which are 80ft long, of 32 tons, and 500 h_p., giving a speed of about 19 knots an hour.

During last montl} 17,593 persons visited tho newspaper and magnzino rooms of the CarneSio Library, and-' 1935 tho referenco library, making' a total of 19,536 as against 19,331 for the corresponding period last year. Tlio total number of -books issued for homo reading was 18,675. Tho new books added to the library in March totalled 145, and tho number of books in stock at the end of that month was 28,619.

Tho Tramways Committee will report to the City Council that tho approximate cost at pre-war rates, of extending tho Maryhill tramway along Clyde avenue to Elgin road would bo £2000. Tho committee is of opinion that tbo proposal should not bo entertained at the present juncture.

Cr It. S. Black, who was present at Cr Green's North-East Valley meeting on Saturday, made a statement to the effcct that there was a conspiracy on the part of tho local newspapers, which had for its object the suppression of any matters which might not assist Mr J. J. Clark's candidature. Ho said that he had asked tho question at Jtoslyn tho other r.ight: "Are the electors of Dunedin to bo dominated by tho public press or the heads of those journals, who represent a certain coterie in the city, or are the ratepayers going to uso their own judgment and show these people they are quite capablo of managing the selection o f a mayor themselves?" Nqt one word of this was reported, but if they could dig up anything which would interfere with Cr Green's prospects, that would go in in full. "However," said Cr Black, "I am going to have my say and I will got it published even if I have to pay so much an inch for it."

In Westport, on Saturday week, sugar was almost an unobtainable commodity (says the News). The majority of tho grocers wero doling it out in small quantities, and somo wero even compelled to inform customers that they could not supply that much. One grocer telegraphed to a Grey mouth firm an order, but received a reply: " Not a bag in Grcymouth." Not only is tho Coast kept in short supply, but the price is stoadily mounting up—from something like £15 a ton at tho outbreak of tho wax to £20 or moro at tho present time.

Somo time ago the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society applied to the Minister of Internal Affairs for permission to ' collect swans' eggs round about Lake , Ellesmero and to sell them for certain' named objects. Mr Russell gave tho permission, and during tho season a rich harvest has been gathered. Tho net profit on the collection and sale of tho eggs] was about £130. Of this sum tho society retains half and tho other half, which was handed to the Minister, has been appropriated to assist the side and wounded soldiers in the Queen Mary Hospital at Hanrner Springs.

John Mackenzie, tho old man 80 years of age, who was knocked down by a motor car at tho corner of Frederick street and Prinoes street about a month ago, died at the Hospital at an early hour on Sunday movning.'

The monthly meeting of tho Kaikorai School Committco was held on Friday evening, when Mr Geo. Moir (chairman) presided. Tho head master, reported the roll as being—Boys, 334; girls, 276; total, 616, and tho average attondanco for tile month 579.

Mrs Page, a resident of Anderson Bay, was driving to town on Saturday when her horso fell. She was thrown out of tho vehicle, sustaining injuries to her left arm, which were attended to at the Hospital.

Tho Amenities and Town Planning So-\ ciety, at its last meeting, requested tho Amenities Committee to take in hand tilis winter the beautifying of tho triangular area in Upper Dowling street, tho vacant land opposito the Drill Hall in Kensington, and tho open portion of tho Town Bolt, behind the private hospital in Royal terrace. Tho society is also requesting the City Council to foko moro eevero measures against those householders and expressmen who, despite repeated warnings, persist "in depositing garden and other rubbish on the Town Belt. Tho society is of opinion that nothing short of prosecution will affect some of these old and hardened offenders.

Our correspondent informs its that rain and misty weather havo interfered considerably with stalking operations around Lake Hawea and in tho Hunter Valley. A heavy ten-pointer ' was shot by Mr D. M'Lennan in tho AVeek block and the Rev. Mr Oliver-and his two sons, shooting over tho Sawmill country, secured two good royals and a 14-porater, tho latter a -very fine trophy. Messrs Bayly and Mitchell, 6hooting over Mount Fergusson and at tho head of tho Hunter Valley, Ixavo also returned with several heads, but foggy weather, which still continues, will hinder sportsmen from filling their licenses.

Several rainbow trout, varying from eight to 121b in weight, havo been netted in Lake Hawea this season. In past years these trout were usually secured near tho mouths of the various streams, but they aro now reported to be obtainable in almost any portion of tho lake.

Iho Montreal Empire Resources Committee proposes to form a 203,000,000-acre State farm in tho west of Canada. The scheme staggers tho Federal provincial officials, though it is recognised that tho backers of tho idea aro not visionaries, but hard-headed, practical statesmen of vast experience, used to handling enormous problems. It 'is believed, however, that gravo difficulty will bo presented by the fact that State-owned land dots not exceed 25,000,000 acres, in Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, and that tho balance of tho land is owned bv the railways or privately, tho latter land being moro settled, and commanding a far higher price than that suggested by. tho committee.

Tho Taranaki Herald states that Mr Keith Matihoirs, of .\cip Plymouth, who has .icon working in Wellington for some months p.? st on a war invention, ] W s been cabled for by the Admiralty. ' It is undorsiood that tho invention is very highly spoken of and.-has gassed-ail tests..successfully. ' '

It is currently reported that a local syndicate has taken in hand the construction of a steamer for the Now Zealand coastal trade, capable of carrying somo 350 tons of cargo. Hie proposal is to mako us© c£ the engines from a wrecked vessel. Owing to the impossibility of getting steel plates at the present time the now vessel will nccossariiy be of the composite .type, with steel frames and wooden planking instead of plates. It is intended to have tho ship built locally. -' r ~ r Basil Watson, tho "Victorian aviator, who had gained faino for many long flights in Australia, and was regarded in lingland as an intrepid airman, was killed in tragic circumstances at the Point Cook aviation grounds on tho afternoon of March 28. Ho had flown from Albert Park to the Aviation vxhool, and when at an altitude of 2000 ft a ove tho A.I.F. canxp r v/hich. adjoins tho camp of tho Flying Corps, his machine suddenly collapsed while looping the loop, and fell ii.to tho bay, about 40 yaj-ds from tho shore end of the military enclosure. Death is believed to have been instantaneous. Thoso who were witnessing Mr Watson's terrible plight estimato that tho biplane dropped tho 2000 ft in a little more than two seconds. The machine crashed noso first into three feet of water, only a few yards from where a number of men. wero bathing;

One of tho first deer stalkers to return with tho results of his trip to tho Eakaia oorgo is Mr Geo. Sutherland (says tho Chmtchurch Press), and he has secured ono of the finest trophies that has been brought out fr om the herd there. It has no fewer , 2 * points, which is a record for a red deer head for New Zealand. Tho previous record head for points was shot in tho Wairarapa by Mr N. Grace, and it has, 22 points. Mr Sutherland's head is a remarkably fine trophy, having probably a wider spread than any other shot in tho Rakaia Gorge, and tho horn is heavy and well grown. The head has not yet been measured.

aro 23 out of 26 coancillorß porting Cr Green?" asked Cr Hayward, in introducing the candidate at his North-East Valley meeting on Saturday evening, and he proceeded to supply the answer. '' Some mon have been talking of patriotism, liberty and justice during the past two years and it is two years since the present Mayor asked Cr Green to stand down and support him in Jms candidature, for the Mayoral office, and he would assist him (Cr Green) in his candidature at this present election. The reason why so many councillors are now sapPorting Cr Green is that they believe in liberty and justice, and they, believo that Cr Green is entitled to tho position of Mayor and should not bo 'jockeyed' out of it." '

Major C- H. S. Snow, who lias recently received tho Military Cross for distinguished services in the campaign in German East Africa, is a New Zealander : (writes the South African correspondent of tho Christchurch Press, under date of March 1). The prospect of fighting attracted him to Sooth Africa at tho outbreak of tho Boer war in 1899, and when he was 17 years of ago he irorked His passage to Capetown in tho engino room of the Waiwera. Enlisting in the South African Ijight Horse as a trooper, the New Zealander saw two and a-half years sernco in the field, chiefly under Colonel Byng, in General Bullets column on tho Natal side. During the "Boer war Major Snow was promoted to tho rank of armourer-sergeant, and he received" two medals and eight clasps—a generous reward and one well deserved. During the late Boer rebellion Major Snow joined the Transvaal Special Motor Service Corp6 as lieutenant in chargo of the armoured motor cars. Towards tho conclusion of the rebellion, Major Snow, like the man in the parable of tho talents, was given chargo of 20 armoured motor corps, and ho accompanied General Botha to Windhuk, where Jio received his captaincy. In German East Africa, Major Snow was attached to General Beit's column. Major Snow has two brothers fighting— D'Oyly Eeis Snow, who was in Egypt and Gallipoli,. and is now in France, and Lieutenant F. H. Snow, who entered the Union Forces as a cadet on November 15, and is now in East Africa.

Hie cocksfoot campaign inaugurated by the Southland Education Board (says our Invercargill correspondent) has resulted in remarkably good work being down by tho country 1 schools and by individual pupils. A notable achievement is that of tho Waikaka School, no fewer than nine fuJl sacks of seed being sent in by its pupils. The children deserve to be complimented on their efforts, especially on their generous action in giving a-portion of tho proceeds to the, Red Cross Funds. It is understood that the? bulk of this largo Quantity of seed was collected by one 0 f children, one boy having gathered 1501b. It is evident that if this matter of cocksfoot collection were taken up heartily by other schools much more than sufficient of tho seed for the needs of the province could be collected while it is patent tliat our farmers themselves would -bo weU 'advised to sow down cocksfoot for seed, as the quality of the samples which aro being- received is excellent.

J- R- Triggs, Conciliation Commissioner, sat at tho Law Courts on Saturday morning to mediate in the dispute that has arisen between tho Dunedin trawlers and their employers. An agreement was come to on all the clauses exccpt tho ono relating to wages, which was referred to tho Arbitration Court for settlement. Tho union was a-sking for an increase of 7s a. week, which the employers refused to! give. An increase was made not so very long ago, and tho employers refused to agree to any further advance. Tho Conciliation Commissioner leaves Dunedin to-day by the second express, Christchuich being his next scene of operations'. ' Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., presided over a sitting of tho City Police Court on Saturday, "v\hcn James Smith was charged l with drunkenness, this being his second offonco within the past six months. Ho -waa ■ fined 225, including 2s cab hire, in default 48 hours' imprisonment. Hugh Thomas Stoddaxt, who did not appear, was cm a charge of drunkenness lined 20s, or 45 hours' imprisonmnent. Bernard M'Ledowney, for drunkenness in Rattray street was fined 12a or 48 hours' imprisonment. A first offender (a female) was fined 13s, or 43 hours' imprisonment.

SlS'm May! 19 "' *""" ~IWO gSS: "Vta w .ollinsr mf morkablo machines having no equal.-Advt Akaroa the old French settlement, chosen by our Allies as the most beautiful harbour °rn t" i rctal j ls this health and beauty still, lake your holiday there.— Advt National Apple Show.—Entries 'post-' marked 16th will be accepted. Committee urgently requests all fruitgrowers and others to heartily support tho show. Send along your entries. —Advt.

Mollisons offer this week lovely Jan gilt dressing gowns, 37s 6d for 255: dressing jackets, 22s 6d for 15s; all new colourings.— Advt. .. You wouldn't accept a counterfeit sovereign i Treat imitations of "No Rubbing" Laundry Ilelp tho same way. Onlv thn best is imitated. We sell the genuine packets, with ' thinker's notebook free. Alian and Smith. Great King street Advt For Influenza take Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. Never fails. Is 6d 2s 6d Advt. '

A. K J. dentist. Bank of Australasia, corner ot Bond and Rattray street, (next lelegrapn Office). Tclephono 1859 — Advt.

Things we ought to know: Watson's No_ 10 whisky is tlie doyen of whiskies —Advt Launch owners, motorists, and others l°nt n\? r ° ub u, our Columbia Hot! shot Batteries We havo a fino assortmont VI iP ' T ? satt ? r,os .' Accumulators. Lamps. nn«no CrS 'r o: V 5? r and lighting purposes.—Turnbull and Jones (Limited), eleo. t'-ical engineers, Dunedin.—Advt. Who.i 3 Peter D.ck!-The most reliable Jeweller, and Certificated Coo--43° v Mor ay place (off Priaoej Jiunedia Charges modemto,—