SUBMARINE PIRACY

Otago Witness, Issue 3196, 16 June 1915, Page 23

SUBMARINE PIRACY

LONDON, Juno 7. A submarine sank the Aberdeen steamer Star of the West. Her crew have landed at Peterhead. The barque Sunlight, sugar-laden for Liverpool, was torpedoed off the Irish coast. A trawler landed her crew at Queenstown. As soon as the Sunlight’s crew took to the boats a torpedo shattered the vessel amidships. The molasses in the cargo was thrown into the air, and masts and yards came down with a run. The crew were 12 hours in the boats. A submarine sank the trawler Arctic. Five survivors have been landed. The remaining four of the crew were killed by shell fire while launching a boat. The mate was horribly mutilated, half his head being blown off. ATHENS, June 7. Germany has agreed to compensate the owners of the Ellisphontas, torpedoed during April. NEW YORK, June 8. The steamer Camerouia’s passengers report that three German submarines were trapped recently in British waters. COPENHAGEN, June 8. A Government investigation into the sinking of the steamer Pau shows that the rifles were probably for Bulgaria. The latter feared that Britain might seize the shipment, hence the assistance rendered by the German torpedo boat. SHELL-MAKING IN- ENGLAND. LONDON, June 8. The masters of Lancashire are rapidly organising shell-making. Of 50,000 skilled engineers in the Manchester district, 18.000 are already engaged in making munitions, providing employment for 75.000 unskilled men and women. Hitherto few of the 18,000 have been making shells, but the problem of diverting a considerable body of skilled workman is being solved by the workers’ goodwill. Trades union officials declare that Mr Lloyd George has accomplished a great task by broadening the men’s views.

The masters have had a committee working for some time, and are now being urged to add representatives of labour committees. They are completing a census of labour and work in hand in engineering establishments to enable them to decide how many skilled workmen may be spared for shell-making, and also in some cases transfer civil work to other firms with a view to transforming their own workshops to meet Government requirements. Many women are offering their services, as are superannuated engineers; in accordance with the scheme outlined by Mr Lloyd George. WARM WELCOME IN THE COMMONS. LONDON, June 8. In the House of Commons, a full House warmly welcomed the National Ministry. Messrs Balfour and Lloyd George were absent. The Front Opposition Bench had few claimants, and the Radicals invaded the Opposition benches below the gangway. Labour members stuck to their old quarters on the Ministerial side, as did the Independent Radicals, now reinforced by both. ATTACKS ON LORD KITCHENER. LONDON, June 8. In the House of Commons, in reply to a question, Mr H. J. Tennant said the recent newspaper attacks on Lord Kitchener had appreciably stimulated recruiting. Mr Asquith stated that Lord Kitchener’s last appeal had met with a most satisfactory response. SERBIA ACTIVE AGAIN. PARIS, June 7. Serbian troops have invaded Albania and occupied the region of the Lower Dibra unopposed. The Echo de Paris says now that Italy has occupied the Albanian port Valona and Serbia has invaded Albanian territory, Albania is lost to Austria. IN NYASSALAND. LONDON, June 8. The Press Bureau reports that a naval and military expedition on May 30 captured Bphinxhaven, on the eastern shore of Lake Nyassa, destroyed ammunition and stores, and drove out the Germans.

GENERAL NEWS. LONDON, June 7. Germany claims to have 900,000 war prisoners in 247 camps. Mr Hope Crisp, the prominent tennf* player, was wounded at Hill 60, and ( leg had to be amputated. AMSTERDAM. June 7. The Dutch frontier between Zeeland Flanders will be closed to-morrow for nin( days. PARIS, Juno 8. Krupps have erected a cannon hospital at St. Quentin for repairs for worn-out guns and broken machine guns and rifles. MELBOURNE, Juno 8. The Cabinet has informed the Imperial authorities that, owing to a shortage of sheep, it will be unable to continue the exportation of frozen meat for the Imperial forces. Preaching at the national service in St. Paul’s Cathedral, Archbishop Clarke urged the necessity for more recruits, Australia’s contribution had been a worthy one, bub it was far below the demands of the posi* tion. It was not a time to waste one’* life in pleasures or games. 1 SYDNEY, June 8. \ Amongst a number of leading chest* players who have enlisted are Mr Viner, I the champion of Australia, and Mr Mae* arthur, champion of New South Wales. AUSTRALIAN CORRESPONDENT’S < VIEWS. SYDNEY, June 3.‘ Mr Harry Gullett, official Australian correspondent at the British front, in sf letter dated March, gives an interesting recount of the organisation of the army and trench warfare. He says it is generally admitted that there is not much to choose between the fighting qualities of the best German. French, and British troops, nor, owing to lack of opportunity, has there so far been any transcendent generalship on any one side. The Avar is more likely to mar than to make leaders’ reputations. Victory is going to the side putting forward the largest force, and these are now evenly matched. The soldiers are keeping in the best of trim. At best the campaign will be extremely blood}', and we must expect to pay high for progress. Mr Gullett insists upon the necessity foi indefinite perseverance arid inexhaiistibls ammunition.