GERMANY

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144713, 23 June 1915, Page 3

GERMANY

HOPES OE THE GERMANS. THE FLEET EXPECTED TO DO MUCH. TIMES AND SYDNEY SUN SERVICES. (Received June 23, S.lO a.in.) LONDON, June 22.

A neutral writes: —“Silence reigns in tlie palatial oftices of tho HamburgAmorika Company at Hamburg, and giant merchantmen are huddled at the quays rusting under the summer sun. The average German forgets that commerce is at a standstill, and still ex-' presses unshaken faith in the Gorman lleot. Great hope is set on the combined action of battleships, submarines and airships, and be believes a contest will soon occur in an attempt to.destroy tho British licet, which is supposed to bo hiding in terror on the west, coast of Ireland. Taubcs have been discarded as wholly umr* ci.sfactory for military purposes, and biplanes of an improved Fannun typo are being made. Gorman experts admit that the French are still superior in field aeronautics. “The hatred against England among the upper classes lias subsided. A high official said, ‘Wo hope to reach an agreement with England, who will surely realise that we are an (ftiomy worthy' of her steel.’ , “Most Germans visualise a phalanx of Zeppelins and aeroplanes advancing four abreast and sweeping over Britain at night, destroying the chief arsenals and factories, especially in London, Inquiries respecting the date of the event elicit the reply, ‘When wc have beaten tho Russians.’ ” ‘

AN OFFICIAL REPORT. AMSTERDAM, Juno 21. A Gorman comimmiquo claims they repulsed attacks at Souchez, but admits they withdrew before a superior force at Goudrczoh. , Tho report, adds that tho Germans evacuated .Metserai according to a prearranged plan, and says General Mackensen’s army is fighting for Lemberg. We captured Zolkiow and Rawaruska. GERMAN FOOD SUPPLIES, LONDON, Juno 22. Lecturing before the war committee at Berlin, Professor Ballad said, according to the London Times, that the shortage of German food supplies was only twelve per cent., so that the attempt to starve Germany had failed, Tho danger now’ to bo averted was that of excessive optimism, which might result in waste., if tho war lasted another year Germany would have to practice groat economy. There would bo sufficient bread and potatoes, but the authorities would have to reduce tho meat consumption. GROWTH OF GERMAN FLEET. LONDON, Juno 21, A German naval officer, in a letter to New Y'ork, states that Germany has recently completed and commissioned a battleship of 25,600 tons and a battle Cruiser of 26,200 tons of the Derflliugcr class, with a speed of 28 knots. Both carry fittecn-mch guns. Two fast cruisers aro also completed, and four Dreadnoughts and a number of battle cruisers aro completing at the end of the year, and are armed with oven heavier guns than fifteen-inch. Twenty-four 1200-ton submarines have been constructed since the beginning of the war, with a surface speed of 20 knots and a speed submerged of 16 knots. They carry four torpedo tubes, and two heavy quick-firers. One of tho latter made a run in the Dardanelles. Twelve 800-tonners and twelve small submarines have also been completed, and half are already in commission. COMMANDER HERSING’S DECORATION. • COPENHAGEN, June 22. An official report says no Order of blent was conferred on tbb submarine captain for sinking tbo Lusitania. Commander Horsing, of the U2l, received tho .Order as a reward for his five-thousand kilometre trip to the Dardanelles, which resulted in the sinking of two British warships. INTERNED BRITISH CIVILIANS. LONDON, Juno 22. The American Embassy at Berlin has submitted a report .to the British Government of the civil, internment camp at Riihlcbon, where practically all the 4500 British prisoners aro interned. Tho reports shows that many improvements in tho now barracks have ended overcrowding, and arrangements have been made for football, music, and amusements. A system of relief has been instituted, providing extra food and clothing. AN OFFICIAL REPORT. A RETIREMENT-ADMITTED.-(Received June 23, 12.30 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, Juno 22. A German communique says:—According to our plan, without pressure from the ouemy, wo moved from our position to the east hank of tho Fccht, cast of Soudornach. Hostile air attacks on Bruges and Ostond did not cause military damage. The lighting north and west of Lemberg continues.