SUBMARINE OPERATIONS

Southland Times, Issue 17791, 21 July 1916, Page 5

SUBMARINE OPERATIONS

BECBUSESCSBCE OF ACTIVITY TWELVE VESSELS SVHZ XXT Oi HOUBB RUTHLESS CAMPAIGN POSSIBLE GEBMAB PRESS COMMENT (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, July 20. Received July 20, 7.r> p.m. There has been a remarkable recrudescence of submarine activity, nearly a dozen vessels having been sunk in the past 24 hours. The change was not announced, but some light is thrown on the matter by the latest German newspapers. The Morning Post’s Berne correspondent calls attention to a semi-official article in the Lokal Anzeiger, calculated to cheer up the advocates of the former ruthless methods. The articles discusses the abrogation of the Declaration of London, and suggests that Britain may use her power to force neutrals to adopt an unfriendly, and if possible a hostile attitude towards Austro-Germany that would-ultimately mean that a.ll Austria’s and Germany’s frontiers would ,he dosed. If such a situation arose Germany would probably reconsider the cessation of submarine activity which was ordered out of consideration for the United States and other neutrals, with the object of preserving friendly feelings towards Germany. In the event of Britain succeeding in inducing neutrals to adopt an attitude of active or passive hostility towards Germany, one important reason for the decision for cessation arrived at in tiie spring of 1916 would have ceased to exist. The British Press consider, in view of the ruthless submarine acts of the past few day. that it is a reasonable deduction that Germany has decided that Britain is influencing neutrals definitely in favour of the Allies. Some critics are even prepared for greater ruthlessness, and declare that it is a short step from the seizure and sinking of neutral vessels to the invasion of surrounding neutrals, particularly Denmark, with a view to compelling supplies. The Lokal Anzieger further hints at an important secret change concerning submarines, which would be of great advantage in the event of Germany being compelled to act ruthlessly, and adds that a new decision will probably have to be made soon. The Krcuznach Zeitung finalities the announcement that the decision must be made quickly, otherwise Germany will lose the best time of the year for submarine enterprise. The Ncueste Nachrichten says;—in the last Note to America we preserved a free hand in regard to submarine mercantile war in the event of America failing to induce England to alter her procedure, which was an infringement of all international law. governing neutrals’ trade with Germany, but the time to use our free hand has not yet arrived.