ON THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1916, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

ARMED MERCHANTMEN. GERMANY'S LATEST MOVE. Berlin, February 11. The memorandum handed by Germany to neutrals, regarding the treatment of armed merchantmen,-states that Britain, prior to the war, gave shipowners guns,' ammunition, and the personnel necessary for drilling gun-crews. It was argued that such ships would maintain the character of peaceful merchantmen, while they would carry arms solely for defence. In accordance therewith the Ambassador at. Washington on August 25, 1914, gave America far-reaching assurances that British merchantmen would never fire unless lirst attacked. On the other hand Britain had armed vessels under other flags which should be treated as war vessels. The German Government does not doubt 'that merchantmen equipped with guns acquire a warlike character, whether the guns serve for defence or attack, nor that such activity is contrary to the law of nations. Germany, however, takes into consideration the contrary conception by treating the crews as belligerents and'not as pirates. Some neutrals concurred with the British view, while others held that armed merchantimen were really war vessels.

Reports from German naval men show that British merchantmen are not only offering armed irsistanec, but even attack Germans and repeatedly used fahje colors. Britain's Allies are copying Britain's example. A Britisli Admiralty memorandum instructs merchantmen to wage war mercilessly on German submarines, without awaiting warlike action, whenever and wherever they meet submarines.

The memorandum concludes: "In view of the circumstances enemy merchantmen, after a short interval in the interest of neutrals, will be treated as belligercnts. Germany has notified neutrals in order that they may warn their subjects before entrusting'their persons and properties to armed merchantmen. An appendix enumerates nineteen cases of merchantmen attacking German submarines.

Paris, February 11. Le Matin, commenting on the new German threat to treat armed merchantmen as belligerents, says that when submarines torpedoed the Lusitania and many other unarmed vessels ithe Germans did not trouble themselves to hmko certain first whether or not they were armed, hence no importance should bo attached at the latest pitiful manoeuvres intended to mask the. monstrous illegality of Germany's barbarism. AMERICAN VESSEL ATTACKED. Washington, February 11. Mr. Lansing bus demanded from Austria an apology for the attack without warning on the Petrolio last December, the punishment of the commander, and an indemnity. The submarine continued firing although the steamer stopped. The- Petrolio's captain refused to sell provisions, thereupon the submarine's crew forcibly helped themselves.

BOOTY FOR THE -^WE. London, February 11. Lieu-t. Berg says the Moewe removed £40,000 ir. gold bars from the Appam. A GERMAN APOLOGY, The Hague, February 11. I Germr.ny, lias apologised for the torpedoing of the Artemis and offered an indemnity. THE TOKOMARU I CONSIGNEES RECOVER DAMAGES. London, February 11. i An action upon the result of which other claims for sums totalling £200,000 depend arose out of the sinking of the Tokomaru by a submarine. James Morrison and Co., owners and consignees of 15S bales of New Zealand wool, obtained judgement for £lOl3 and costs against the Shaw, Savill Co., on the ground that the Tokomaru was not justified in deviating from her course and calling at Havre to land frozen meat for the French Government. Mr. Justice Baillmche held that defendants were tempted by a high rate of freight to run a risk of bejng torpedoed, which was reedgnised as possible but regarded as improbable. The improbable happened.

THE MOEWE HER CHANGES OF ESCAPE Times and Sydney Sun Services, deceived Feb. 12, 5:20 p.m Lsndon, Feb. 11. Rear-Admiral Poss discusses in the Drt-sdener Anzeiger, tlio chances of capturing tlie Moewe. He says that Uio moment to start lier activity was well chosen. Tho British fleet had taken for granted that German foreign cruisers had been finally banished from the sea, and that Allied ships could sail in absolute security and with rosy confidence. Time was being lost, thus causing tho soaring up of freights and insurance. No doubt a colossal hunt for the seagull was now organised, and perhaps tlie raider's chances of escape are not extensive, but before sho is sent to her doom, or compelled to accept internment in a ueutral liarbor, sho will contrive to wreak heavy damage on enemy commerce. Better, in Heaven's name, for lier to go to tlie bottom. She will at least have served her purpose, and wa,y fortune am Lie on her daring commander and gallant crew. i

FOLLOW MY LEADER, AUSTRIA SENDS A NOTF Received Feb. 13, f..5 p.m. Amsterdam, Feb. 12. A Vienna telegram states that Au»> tra has issued a Note to neutrals, identical to the German Note concerning the treatment pi armad mwcan>tßt<P-

SEEING DOUBLE.

ON THE DOGGER BANK, \j*4! t. , . ... [GERMANS MISTAKE MINRSWJBEJr!* ERS FOR CRUISERS. t l ' ' A .A --,- Received Feb, 13, 5.5 p.m. H London, Feb. lfc. * The German Admiralty announoesi; During an advance our torpedoers net at Dogger Bank several British crutter», which fled. Our boats pursued them and sank the new cruiser Arabis, »nd hit a second cruiser with a torpedo. We rescued the Arabia's iommander, twtf other officers and twenty-one men. The British Admiralty announces that the "cruisers" mentioned were four mine-sweepers, of which three returned safely.

The Daily Chronicle's naval correspondent is of opinion that the Arabi* was an oil-driven cargo boat, simitar t«j the Salandria, and that there it no need for surprise at the hostile toN pedoerg being at the Dogger Bante. ■they are probably kept at Zeebrutte, which is only a night's journey *w, and the torpedoers are small and s< MM enough to slip the meshes of ou »«• don on a favorable occasion, ' '