ENGLISH NEWS.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13792, 12 June 1915, Page 5

ENGLISH NEWS.

WORK OF THE NAVY

REPLY TO AMERICAN CRITICISM

DEATH SENTENCES IN THE ARMY.

THE PRICE OF COAL

London, June 10

Commander Carlyon Bellairs, replying to criticisms i" United States* newspapers on the inactivity of the British Navy, said the man who wroto them ought to procure a chart,and study a few minutes with an American naval officer. He then might learn a lot. Cuxhaven and Kiel are hidden behind miles of heavily mined sandbanks and breakwaters. At Heligoland there are only a few German torpedo boats and submarines. In naval warfare one goes by^ probabilities, not possibilities. British submarines have not one chance in a million of getting beyond the stone walls where the Germans hide their fleet. It is n-et a question of initiative. What our submarines have done in scouting around Heligoland and the Dardanelles proves this. It is just a Question of common sense and tactics. The German fleet only needs to corno out into tho Bea, leaving its stone fortreas for a few hours, when it will got all the trouble it will ever be able to seek.

Mr. Balfonr, First Lord of the Admiralty, in the House of Commons, stated that no death sentences had be«n earrie&out in the Navy.

Mr. Tennant, Under-Secretary for War, admitted that death sentences had been; inflicted in tlio Army.

Mr. W. Rancimari, President of the Board of Trade, in the House of Oodimons, referring to the increased prne of. coal, said it was largely due to iho heavy enlistment of miners. The output of the remainder had largely increased per, man , therefore an advance in wages was justified: but taking all facts into account, the price at the pit' head was excessive. He hoped negotiations with' the companies would ci^ect ;an improvement; if not, Parliament I would not tolerate exploitation. i At one time, Mr. Runciman stated, there was a danger that the wheat margin would be reduced, but the fear was now removed. He hoped the fall in price would not stop before the new and abundant harvest was garnered. He looked forward to- the opening of the Dardanelles to further reduce the price. Sir John Simon, Home Secretary, said that additional internment accommodation was being got ready rapidly. About 9000 Germans and 4000 Austrians in London were not interned.., . Mr. E. C. Pretyman, Under-Secre-tary to the Board of Trade, in reply to a : question, said it had been 'agreed

CABLE NEWS.

[Press association ■• -Copyright. ]

ihat Britain should purchase beef for both France and Britain. The price ivas therefore the .same to both It was not in the financial interest to publish the price.

Mr. AsquiLli, in reply to a question, said the extension of the age limit widened recruiting, and enabled eligible -men hitherto debarred to servo their country. The number of men already sanctioned by Parliament for both services was 3,-200,000.

Mr. Asquith, questioned in the House of Commons as to whether the Government had decided on tho compulsory military training of young men not required for other Government work, replied in the negative. A body found on the coast" of Clare is believed tc be that of Mr. Vanderbilt, who was lost in the Lusitama. A watch bore his initials.

A British cruiser in the Straits of Gibraltar, arrested on board an Italian steamer the' " Prin/, EiPel Fredridi's fugitive captain, disguised as a cook.