THE SUBMARINE WAR.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 14143, 21 July 1916, Page 5

THE SUBMARINE WAR.

A REMARKABLE RECRUDES-

CENCE.

' DOZEN SHIPS SUNK IN 24 HOURS. .■-■"-

SIGNIFICANT COMMENTS' IN THE

GERMAN PRESS

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association)

(Received July 20, 7.5 p.m.) London, July 20.

There is a remarkable recrudescence of submarine activity, nearly a dozen vessels having been sunk in the past 24 hours. The change was not -annotmced, but some light is thrown on the matter by the latest German

newspapers

The "Morning Post's" Berne correspondent calls attention to a semi-offi-cial article in the "Lokalanzeiger," calculated to cheer up the advocates of tho "former ruthless methods. It discusses the abrogation of the Doclar-

CABLE NEWS.

[Press *" Association—Copyright.]

ation of London, and suggests that England may use her power to force neutrals to adopt an unfriendly, and if possible, hostile attitude towards Austro-Germany. That would ultimately mean that all Austria's and Germany's frontiers would be closed. If such a situation arose Germany would probably consider the cessation of .submarinings, which was ordered out of consideration ■'for the United States and other neutrals, and with the object of ■ preserving their friendly feelings towards Germany. In. the event of England succeeding in inducing neutrals to adopt an of active or passive hostility towards Germany one important reason for the decision to cease operations arrived drfc in the spring of 1916 would have ceased to exist.

The British press consider that in view of the ruthless submarinings of the past few days.it is a reasonable deduction that Germany has decided that England 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 invasion of the territory of surrounding neutrals, particularly Denmark, with a view of compelling them to provide supplies. The "LokaJanzeiger" further hints at an important secret change concerning submarines which will be of great ad^ vantage in the event of Germany being compelled to act ruthlessly. It adds that , 4 the new decision will probably have to be made soon.

The "Kreuz Zeitung" qualifies the announcement, stating that the decision must be made quickly, as otherwise Germany will lose the best time of the year for submarinings.

The "Neueste Nachnchten 5' says: — "In the last Note to America we reserved a free-hand for a submarine mercantile war in the event of America failing to.induce England to alter her procedure, which is an infringement of all international law governing neutrals' trade with Germany, but the time to use. our free hand has not yet arrived." ,