SUBMARINE WARFARE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3277, 3 January 1917, Page 14

SUBMARINE WARFARE.

Tho Spanish steamer Marques. Do Ugquijo, 2530 tons, has been torpedoed and sunk. The British steamers Zoroastci-, Copsewood, and Aislaby have been sunk. Tho crew of the Aislaby were landed, but the captain is a prisoner aboard tho submarine. Tho Norwegian steamers Sno (1833 tons), Mystrand, Ido, and Heroo. and the barque Karmoe, the Swedish steamer Ineriddio, and tho British steamer Aronsay have been sunk. The Norwegian steamers Tliyra and tho British sailing vessel Haroy Wadams are believed to have been 6unk. Thirteen of the Thyra's crew were saved. During 1916 Norway lost 272 ships, of a tonnage of 3?7.000. and a value of 200,000.000 kroner (about £8,000.000). A Council of Ministers in Spain is discussing measures to prevent German submarines from sinking Spanish ships. Tho Spanish shipowners are threatening- to lay up their vessels unless navigation is made safe. A French cruiser was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean on December 27. Four lives were lost. Tho cruiser sank in half an hour. In consequence of perfect discipline and the prompt arrival of patrol boats there were only four victims, of whom an explosion killed two. An Admiralty communique narrates an outrage in which German savagery in torpedoing merchantmen reached a climax. The British steamer Westminster, when proceeding to Port Said, was twice struck unwarned by a submarine when 180 miles from land. Four persons were killed. Tho steamer sink in four minutes, and the submarine shelled the escaping crew and sank a boat, tho master and chief engineer being killed, while five others are presumed to bo drowned. The communique denounces this as a murder in cold blood. Tho British Government's war risk has boon raised from 21s to 42s per cent. BUILDTXG NEW SUBMARINES. The German shipyards are working day and night on tho construction of an enormous fleet of submarines. The only limit to tho number is the great difficulty of securing adequately-trained crews. The chief training centre is Kiel Harbour, whore 30 of the newest and largest submarines aro daily used for the sole purpose of training crows. The feature of the new -vessels is their extraordinarily sharpened bows, which resemble tho blado of a scythe pointing upwards out of tho water. A newly-invented process makes the blade extremely hard and sharp in order that a submarine travelling at a moderato speed may be able to cut through a wire hawser l£in thick. Tho larger submarines aro equipped for a voyage of 70 days. Whilst a submarine was being launched at the Germania wharf recently the vessel glided down the slips at increasing speed. When it was impossible to cheek the submarine tho horrified spectators saw a big iron implement lying across the slips. The vessel struck tho obstacle, bounded up, and fell upside down in the water, and 12 of the crow were drowned. All Germany is ringing with tho coming exploits of tho submarine fleet, and tlroro are signs of renewed cheerfulness. Germany announces that she will accept letters for submarine transmission to America up to 60 grammes (nearly 2oz). at a charge of two marks (Is ll£d) per 20 grammes.

TWO BRITISH DESTROYERS LOST'. The Admiralty reports that _ two British destroyers were sunk by collision in the North "Sea on December 21, in bad weather, and six officer? and 51 men were lost. ENEMY LOSSES. ' The German, Austrian, Bulgar, and Turkish losses for November are estimated at 350,000, and those of December are higher. A PREDICTION FOR THE_ YEAR. British newspapers, reviewing the operations of the year just closed, predict a great western offensive in 1917 over _ a larger front, and employing the new tactics perfected at Verdun, enabling attacks to bo

conducted with fewer casualties than to the defenders. They contend that the new tactics, which are not fully disclosed, solved the problem of trench warfare, making victory certain Lord Sydenham writes: "The Germans have learned that safety can bo no longer found in most elaborate defences. Tho combination of artillery, infantry, and air service is being perfected. The supreme importance of the air service was strikingly manifested at Verdun. There will be many more guns, amply supplied with shells in 1917, and if the lessons of the past aro turned to full account we can attack on a far larger scale with certainty of success." THE ARMENIAN ATROCITIES. The Times publishes the first report* from reliable Mohammedan sources regarding the Armenian atrocities supplied by two Mussulman eye-witnesses of official standing and tested veracity. The first eye-witness saw in August, 1915, in tho suburbs of Mush, largo numbers of dend men, women, and children, shot or stabbed and most horribly mutilated. Numbers of- corpses floated down the river at Bitlis. The smell was terrible, and the water was undrinkable. Five hundred persons were locked in a stable near Mush, al) d through an opening in the roof the gendarmes threw flaming torches. All were burned alive. Between liinis and Kein he saw a ravine filled with bodies of little children. Thousands were thrown into the Euphrates, while many committed suicide, fearing a worse death.

The second eye-witness was a member of a court-martial at Trebizond in July, 1915, which ordered the deportation of all Armenians into the interior. They knew that tho deportation meant a massacre en route. Men were shot, and women and children plundered, outraged, and murdered by organised bands. At Trebizond the children were taken out to sea in boats, placed in sacks, and thrown into the sea. The best-looking women were picked out by Government officials and outraged and murdered. At Kamash he saw in a prison the Kurdish chieftain Murza Boy. He was said to have killed 70,000 Armenians, and was now arrested for striking a gendarme. Afterwards lie was secretly executed. Massacre and murder were part of the settled Younrr Turkish policy tor exterminating non-Turkish races in the Ottoman Empire. The motive was political, not religious. He did not see any German officers actuallv engaged in supervising the massacres, but the German military in Turkey were aware of them and did not attempt to stop them. TREATMENT OF PRISONERS. A number of British, who were prisoners in German East Africa, have arrived in London. They describe their terrible privations. The German policy was systematically to degrade the British in the eyes of the natives. Military officers, planters, and scientists' wives were used as slaves, with tho result that the British prestige was destroyed. The Rev. Mr Stanton, Principal of St. Andrew's College, Zanzibar, states that whites were placed under natives and treated as low-class blacks, scantily clad, and compelled to draw lorries in the streets in view of jeering natives, and to do other degrading work. English women were herded up under a notoriously immoral German commandant, whoso wife committed suicide owing to the atrocities. Renter's Corfu correspondent states that escaped Serbian prisoners from Germany and Austria tell of the shameful treatment they received. Not only were they put to the hardest tasks and insufficiently fed and clad, but the Austrians were employing them as combatants against the Russians. Many of these escaped by surrendering. GERMAN FRIGIITFULNESS. Refugees from Lille state that the town has been Germanised. French residents have been pillaged and turned out, and German officers with their families aro occupying the best houses and hotels. All bronze and copper has been seized and sent to Germany. Tho Germans executed 12 Belgians for alleged espionage at Hasselt, including a woman. Many others were sentenced to life imprisonment, including three women, while 80 received shorter sentences. The Belgian population has determined to continue their passive resistance to the Germans' forcible recruiting. A Belgian circular, issued from Brussels, declares: "Do not yield to the requisitions and demands. The Germans must take us one by one from our homes." THE KAISER. The Kaiser's Christmas message to his troops was: "Honour to God above, and peace on earth." The Kaiser, in a bombastic army order, states that during 1916 the army and navy were victorious fa all theatres on land and water, and will also be victorious in 1917. FOOD RIOTS IN GERMANY. There were food riots in Dresden on December 17, 18, and 19. Women marched in procession through the streets and stoned the food shops, which were closed owing to lack of supplies. As the women passed the palace of the King of Bavaria they shouted: "Wo want food." Several women were arrested for using insulting language about the King. Matters culminated on December 19, when the agitators came into sharp conflict with the police, and 100 women were wounded in a charge. The newspapers publish interviews with German captains, asserting that hungry masses crowd the cpiays at German ports begging for food from ships arriving from neutral ports. FAMINE IX AUSTRIA. Letters found en prisoners indicate that the spirit of revolt is spreading in Austria, where famine torments the people. Tho soldiers are also suffering acutely from hunger, lowering their morale. An official Austrian circular urges rigid economy, pointing out that "the situation is likely to become worse, and most extreme efforts of will-power will be necessary to enable us to resist." Tho misery of the working classes in Austria is lamentable. Hundreds of suicides have taken place since the beginning of November, and peace demonstrations ate of daily-occurrence in the cities. PUSHING ON SHIPBUILDING. It is understood that Sir Joseph Maclay proposes that, owners shall close the tonnago openings in the shelter-deck of steamers, thus enabling the leadline to be safely raised. It is estimated that this will add a quarter of a million tonnage to the mercantile marine. Sir Joseph Maclay, Shipping Controller, has appointed an Advisory Committee

ltigely representing shipbuilders and engineers, in conn action with the speedier completion of unfinished vessels; also new construction generally. OUTPUT OF MUNITIONS. A month ago tho weekly production of British 18-poundcr ammunition was 43 times the weekly production in June, 1915, end of shells for medium guns and howitzers it was 66 times, and for heavy howitzers 324 times as great The total output for one week in November was 30 per cent, more than tho entire reserve stock at tho beginning of tho war. The monthly output of medium guna in November was nearly 40 times the monthly average of tho first year of tho war; and the output of tho heaviest guns was about 12 times as groat. For every ton of explosives used in September, 19i4, over 11,000 tons wcro used in July, 1916 (when the Sonimo offensive began). HIGH PRAISE FOR NEW ZEALANDERS. General D'Amade (French) has sent a message to Sir Joseph Ward containing the following:—" I wish to convey to your country my admiration and pride at having commanded men from New Zealand of such splendid fighting qualities and magnificent physique. My greatest desire is to visit New Zealand and renew associations which can never be forgotten." Sir Joseph Ward replied, thanking the general for his praise, which New Zealanders would appreciate. He hoped that General D'Amade would visit New Zealand. FINANCIAL AFFAIRS. The Federal Reserve Board of tho United States empowered the New York Federal Reserve Bank to appoint the Bank of England as its agent, believing that this will facilitate credit and tend to check the inflow of surplus gold into the United States. The action will permit tho Allies greatly to extend their war purchases in America. It is based on British commercial credit, and removes tho stigma of tho board's recent advice against the acceptance of British Treasury notes. The newspapers anticipate a great increase in British and American industrial intimacy. THE NATIONAL DEBT. The year's increase in the British national debt was over £1,000,000,000. A FORECAST. Colonel Rcpington, forecasting the 1917 military situation, says it is not likely to improve for many months, and may even become worse, owing to past mistakes. He contends that, in order to gain the necessary superiority on tho West front in 19171918, every possible white division from Salonika Egypt, and Mesopotamia should be withdrawn, native armies from India and Africa replacing them. DINNER TO NEW ZEALANDERS. Sir Thomas Mackenzio presided at a dinner to 300 New Zealanders on furlough in the Wesleyan Hall, Westminster. Mr Massey, Sir Joseph Ward, Lord Ranfurly, Lord Plunket, Sir James Carroll, and Messrs Raymond and Moss Davis wcro also present! The men were plentifully provided with Christmas fare. Mr Massey extended New Zealand's Christmas greetings ip tho soldiers. "Notwithstanding tho Swiss and American Notes," he added, "we are not going to be cheated of the fruits of victory." Sir Joseph Ward said: "We are not going to have a premature peace, but one that will last for ages. We will not have a stoppage of war. which in reality only means that we shall give our enemies breathing time." Lord Ranfurly recalled what New Zealand had done in the Boer war, and said it had never been expected that such vast numbers of New Zealanders would bo fighting now at their country's call. He thought with wonder on the stream of reinforcements tho Dominion was sending. The men were entertained to a concert and tea in the afternoon and a dance in tho evening. The soldiers at Hornchurch and Walton were also entertained in their respective hospitals. Mr Massey, Sir Joseph Ward, and Sir T. Mackenzie visited the wounded at Walton. A V.C. HERO. Captain William Bloomfield, of the South African Scouts' Corps, has been awarded tho Victoria Cross. Being heavily attacked, and about to be isolated and outflanked in his position, in proceeding to a new position he removed the wounded. Ono of these (a corporal) had been forgotten, and Captain Bloomfield determined himself to rescue him. He carried the corporal on his back for four hundred yards in the open, under heavy machine gun and rifle fire to and fro. THE KING'S MESSAGE. Tho King sent a message to the soldiers and sailors, and the King and Queen sent B. message to the sick and wounded which was published last week. The following is the text of the message which was read to all the troops in camps and barracks, and published in Orders: —"I send you, my sailors and soldiers, hearty good wishes for Christmas and Now Year. My grateful thanks aro ever with you for victories gained, for hardships endured, and for your unfailing -checriness. Another Christmas has come round and we are still at war, but tho Empire is confident in you, and remains determined to win. May God bless and protect you." LORD LIVERPOOL'S MESSAGE. His Excellency tho Governor cabled to the Secretary of State for the Colonies as follows: —"I desire to associate myself with my Acting Prime Minister in sending tho following message to the Imperial Prime Minister: 'New Zealand congratulates you on taking up tho most responsible position of Prime Minister. Wo thank you for your inspiring message, and I can assure you that tho people of Now Zealand aro very grateful for tho recognition of their contribution to the common cause, and will stand firm in their determination to continue their efforts till final victory js won.' " GENERAL ITEMS. A Russian communique says:—ln Kurdistan tho Turks wero driven back in tho region of Lake Vau. Tho Luxemburg Cabinet has resigned owing to a no-confidenco vote arising out of the shortage of food supplies. Holland has signed a treaty undertaking to supply Germany with milk, meat, eggs, tod fruit.

The German recruiting schemo in Poland i 3 a complete failure. Only 200 men have volunteered since November 19, and of these only 67 wero recruited in Warsaw. Austin Quick, son of tho lato Mr W. 11. Quick, of Wellington, has been killed in action.

A meeting of New Zealand Freemasons serving in Franco was held within range of the enemy's guns. Ninety lodges were represented. I lie meeting sent greetings to tho brethren in New Zealand. In the course of a lecture at Hamburg it was revealed that the German shipping losses arc:—ls2 sunk, 267 captured, 621 interned in neutral harbours, and 490 in Germany. Tho Army Council intends to take possession of all linen yarns to secure supplies of fabric for aeronautic purposes. It also may restrict tho use of flax to Government purposes. The Minister of Munitions has appointed a committee to consider the best means to be adopted to secure adequate supplies of alcohol for war purposes. The essential trades' requirements. —munitions, transport, and air services—have greatly increased. Tho Press Bureau reports that for three days there have been continuous conferences in London between members of the British Government and M. Ribot, M. Thomas, and other French representatives. There wero full discussions and sx complete agreement. In his greetings to the King of Itaiy President Poincare said the new year would assure tho Allies of victory. An immense fire and an explosion at a Dresden munition depot completely destroyed a suburb. The French Chamber of Deputies has authorised tho State to advance £8,000,000 to the ship-owners for the construction and rjurchase of ships. Router's correspondent at The Hague reports that the Dutch Horse-owners' Association has agreed to supply Germany. Ihe first draft will bo despatched in January. A Bill has been introducd in the French Senate providing for the mobilisation of civilians between 17 and 60 years of age and for tho organisation of national labour in France and her colonies. The imports and exports for the port of New York for 1916 are a record, totalling 4,069,000,000d01. The total of the United States imports and exports (exclusive of gold) is 8,000,000,000d01. The Amsterdam Telcgraaf confirms the statement in tho Paris Temps that Germany's reply to the Netherlands protest against tho Belgian deportations was so discourteous that it could not bo communicated to Parliament. The Dutch Government has now requested Germany to send such a reply as can be communicated to Parliament. Tho Danish and German Governments some time ago agreed to exchange German iron for Dutch horses and chemicals. Now, however, it is announced that iron cannot be exported, as it is all required for German military purposes. Germany s breaking of the contract seriously affects tho Danish metal industry. Russia's ultimatum threatening flogging as a disciplinary measure for German prisoners unless Germany abolishes tho torture called " suspension," practised _on Russian prisoners, has had the desired effect. Germany has replied that she is substituting imprisonment for barbarous punishment. Germany has also abolished the severe measures applied _to captive Russian officers owing to Russia, as a reprisal, reducing the German officer prisoners" to the rank of privates. AUSTRALIAN ITEMS. The New South Wales Rccuiting Committee disclaims any intention of a repetition of the Derby scheme as resorted to by Britain. The committee has announced that tho military authorities possess less than half tho reinforcements required for JanuArrangements have been made for the recruiting campaign agencies to be utilised for securing subscriptions to tho war loan.