SUBMARINE PIRACY

Otago Witness, Issue 3195, 9 June 1915, Page 33

SUBMARINE PIRACY

LONDON, June 6.

The Aberdeen fishing liner Strathberan mistook a submarine for a schooner, as she had rigged up a sail. The submarine without warning sank the Strathberan, whose crew were 31 hours in an open boat. They were picked up and brought to Wick.

A submarine sank the steamer Dunnethead and the trawler Persimmon off tho North of Scotland. The crews were saved. A submarine fired five 65-centimetro shells and missed the Penfeld. The crew then took to a boat, and the submarine torpedoed and sank the Penfeld. Tha crew rowed for 30 hours before they reached the land, and the Cubano’s crew were 22 hours in a rough sea. The Lokal Anzeiger (Berlin) says that Germany will never admit she did wrong in torpedoing the Lusitania. If President Wilson really thinks that consideration for human life is not left in Germany, further discussion is superfluous. WASHINGTON, June 6.

Mr Gerard (the American Ambassador at Berlin) cables that Germany is willing to pay an indemnity for the damage to the Gulflight, but it is impossible to clear up the bombing of the Cushing. The aviators state that they bombed only one ship in the vicinity of the North Hinder lightship. It was not flying a flag and had no neutral markings, but it was possible she was the Cushing.

COUNT BERNSTORFF’S TALK OF PEACE.

AN AMERICAN VIEW. LONDON, June 6

A Washington correspondent says that Count talk of peace synchroni es with a successful German drive on the .east front and what Americans regard as a temporary discomfiture of the Allies in other directions. The correspondent recalls that in September the talk of peace synchronised with the nearest German approach to Paris. Count Bernstorff demands the freedom of the seas, giving belligerents the right to continue trade as if no fleets existed. He seeks German colonial extension and a reconstitution of Poland under Prussian suzerainty; Ger- ‘ many would then be prepared to give Ujf France and Belgium. Apparently the intervention of Italy presents a gloomy outlook, and suggests the advisability of Germany promptly capitalising her wave of successes.

MR LLOA’D GEORGE’S ADDRESS

VIEWS OF THE TIMES. LONDON, June 6,

The Times says editorially that Mr Lloyd George struck the ritjht note at Manchester. He did not flinch to state the dangers confronting the nation, bub treated his audience in'the way Englishmen love and expect. He described German success as being entirely due to superior equipment with a bluntnesa that will be almost regarded as treasonable m certain quarters. The “speed” progresses will be an event in our history, though, doubtless these also will provoke bitte’ complaints in certain circles.

‘MACHINE IS BEGINNING TO MOVE.”

LONDON, June 7.

Mr Lloyd George stated to a corrc-* spondent: “ I believe things are going all right. I feel that the machine is beginning to move.” Mr Lloyd George has been consulting the leaders regarding the scope and power! of the new Ministry. Huge new contract! for high-explosive shells have already bcerf placed. A plan is afoot in Manchester to mobilise 500 superannuated engineers, formerly shell-makers, and also utilise another 500 skilled mechanics now pursuing other occupations.

Tn Glasgow a citizen force is providing

g night shift for making shells after their ordinary day’s ■work is finished. AN AERIAL TORPEDO. LONDON, June 7. The Daily Mail’s Amsterdam correspondent states that the super-Zeppelins are provided with an aerial torpedo, made of aluminium sustained by gas. When it is fired it is controlled by wireless from a great distance, and may be exploded at

any point required.