BRITISH NAVAL RAID.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 44, 8 June 1917, Page 5

BRITISH NAVAL RAID.

Belgian Coast Bombarded.

LONDON, June 5. The Admiralty states; The Vice-Ad-miral at Dover reports that early in the morning we heavily bombarded the naval base and workshops at Osteud. A largo number of rounds were fired with good results. The shore batteries returned the fire. Our bombarding forces suffered no damage. Commodore Tyrwhitt also reports that early in the morning light cruisers and destroyers under his command sighted six German destroyers and engaged them at long range in a running fight. Gunfire sank the German destroyer 820, and severely damaged another. The British picked up seven survivors of S2O. Wo suffered no casualties. The Admiralty reports that naval aeroplanes bombed the aerodromes at St. Denis and Westrem on Sunday night with good results. Seaplanes simultaneously attacked tho seaplane base at Zeebruggo and bombed shipping at Bruges. MOST FORMIDABLE BOMBARDMENT OF THE WAR. REPLY BY GERMAN BATTERIES. ZEEBRUGGE REPORTED IN RUINS. LONDON, June 6. Tho Exchange Telegraph Agency's Flushing correspondent says the naval bombardment was the most formidable of tho war. It continued for a hundred minutes. A largo fleet with heavy artillery participated, and explosions and fires followed. The Gorman batteries vigorously replied. A flotilla of German torpedoers were anchored in Zeebrugge harbour, which suffered severely.

According to t a German deserter, Zeebruggo is in ruins.

ENEMY FLEET DRIVEN OFF. LONDON, Juno 6. Commodore Tyrrwhitt sighted the enemy at dawn five miles off- The British fleet, comprising cruisers and destroyers, divided into two lines. The destroyers opened the engagement immediately, damaging the &20, nhieh in a few minutes began td sink, a destroyer rescuing seven of the crow. The chase lasted until the Germans reached the minefields. ANOTHER AEROPLANE RAID. ENGLISH COUNTIES ATTACKED. ONE MACHINE BROUGHT DOWN. LONDON, June 6. An aeroplane raid is in progress on the Thames Estuary. Bombs were dropped in Essex and Kent. One machine is reported to have bee* brought down. THRILLING AIR BATTLE. 15 MACHINES ENGAGED. LONDON, June 6. It is estimated that 15 aeroplanes participated in the raid, mostly Taubes flying at a great height, and dropping high-force explosives. Anti-aircraft guns and British aviators hotly engaged the enemy, one of whom was brought down, and dropped into the sea. Crowds watched the thrilling air battle. WEATHER FAVOURS THE ENEMY. LONDON, June 6. The weather conditions favoured the enemy air fleet. The Germans flew at a Ligh altitude, seeking to penetrate inland under cover of night and clouds, but they were quickly spotted by British aeroplanes, which engaged them in co-operation with the land batteries. The defences were sufficient and the enemy only penetrated a few miles, dropped bombs, and fled at high speed. THE CASUALTIES. LONDON,, June C. The High Commissioner reports: — Considerable damage was caused to house property, but the naval and military damage was negligible. The raiders, losing two machines, made off seawards. The casualties so far reported are two killed, two dangerously wounded, and 27 wounded. SUBMARINE WARFARE. messageries liner sunk. 56 PERSONS MISSING. PARIS, June 6. . The Messageries liner Yarra was torpedoed and sunk on May 29th in the Eastern Mediterranean.

There were 690 persons on board, and 56 are missing. TRENCH ENCOUNTERS WITH SUBMARINES. LONDON, June 6. Official returns for May show that there were twelve engagements between French patrol boats and submarines, 14 between seaplanes and submarines, and three between coast defences and submarines. AMERICA’S ASSISTANCE. NATIONAL REGISTER COMMENCED * ! INTENSE PATRIOTISM NEW YORK, Jane 6. President Wilson has issued a pro clamation urging opposing factions to unite, Everything is in readiness foe regis tration to commence to-day. It is expected that nearly 10,000,000 will register, of which number the War Department will select 1,000, 000 . men as material with which to form an army of 625..000,

Registration is occasioning intense patriotism throughout the country, and feeling that the conflict must con-

,-nuc until tho democracy is victorious. 7onug men wee early at the registration places, showing eagerness to "do their bit.”

An American squadron has arrived in Brazilian waters to relieve British and french cruisers.

Seized German merchantmen have been re-christcncd with American names. Further arrests of alleged spies have been made. The police state that a wireless apparatus was shipped to Mexico in separate parcels. It is also alleged that spies induced sailors to deliver letters to Goman agents in Norway. One hundred and forty agents encouraging anti-conscriptionists have been arrested and interned during the week.

The police have ascertained that in January the chief official of Germany’s wireless system came to America and arranged a spying wireless service, and then proceeded to Mexico. AMERICA’S MISSION. PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS TO WAR VETERANS. ENEMY SHIPS COMMANDEERED. WASHINGTON, June 5. President Wilson, in addressing Confederate veterans, said: “This great nation was kept united to be an instrument in God’s bauds to secure liberty for mankind. There comes a time when it is good for a nation to sacrifice, if need be, everything to vindicate its principles. We have prospered with heedless, irresponsible prosperity. Wc will now spend all our wealth and shed all our blood if needed for the service of mankind.” The Shipping Board has announced that over 100,000 tons of seized Aus-tro-Gcrman ships have been repaired, and will be available at the end of July. It is officially estimated that 250 wooden cargo ships will be constructed in eighteen months in addition to steel ships. ‘ ASSISTANCE FROM BRAZIL. LONDON, June 6.

Reuter learns authoritatively that Brazil will utilise all her resources in assisting in the war. Forty-two fine German ships have been seized, practically undamaged, and will immediately be placed at the disposal of the Allies. RUSSIAN SITUATION. THE LIBERTY LOAN. ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES. LONDON, June 6. The subscriptions to the Liberty Loan total a milliard roubles. The ‘' Daily Telegraph 'a ’ ’ Pctrograd correspondent is of opinion that the loan is a comparative failure, forcing the Government to make a huge issue of bank notes.

The working classes arc charging the capitalists with not supporting the loan. They will thus be forced to use paper money, with the result that the rouble will fall still lower, the cost of living will rise higher, and the workers will be forced to make still higher demands. The official organ of the Workers’ and Soldiers’ Delegates demand that the Treasury take excess profits, and heavily tax incomes and property. Meanwhile the enthusiasm aroused by M. Kerensky’s speeches on the fighting fronts is growing in intensity. JAPAN AND THE ALLIES. A WARNING TO RUSSIA. LONDON, June 6. The “New York Times” Washington correspondent learned that Japan informed the Russian Government that if it withdraws Japan, in consultation with Britain, will consider what mea-