BRITAIN.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVI, Issue 16231, 29 March 1917, Page 7

BRITAIN.

THE AFPAM CASE. (Reuter's Telegrams.)' WASHINGTON, Afarch 26. The Court hag ordered tho imirieaiate transfer of. the Appainto her former British owners. ' . ' BLOCKADE OF GERMANY. MINISTER, DECLARES IT EFFECTrOI. (Router's Telegrams.) Received 9.30 •p.m., March 28th. : , v LONDON,;■ March 27. In the House of Commons, replying to criticisms on the effectiveness of the to criticisms on the effectiveness of the b]ockade, Lord Robert Cecil declared that- , the tightening of the blockade had resulted in the complete cessation of oversea importations into enemy ■countries. He admitted that tho question of home produce of noutrals adjoining Germany was much more difficult. , He expressed the opinion that the only way to stop such exports to Germany was an agreement with neutrals on the example of Norway, wlio had agreed to restrict trade with Germany provided we supplied her with refined • copper. Lord Robert Cecil proceeded to show the steadily increasing diversion of Danish and Dutch agricultural products to England instead of Germany. He emphatically declared that D6nmark honestly endeavoured to carry out the terms of the existing agreement. He would be deceiving the country if he did not say that there was the' greatest shortage of food in Germany as a result of the blockade, and also of wool, cotton, lubricants, and other necessities. He was disinclined to disbelieve the reputed well-authenticated reports of food riots in Germany; THE JANUARY EXPLOSION. INVESTIGATION RESULTS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. and Reiiter.) Received 8.55 p.m., Mareh 28th. The Press Bureau states that the Home Secretary's- Committee, in a report on the explosion in East London on January 19 state's that it proceeded from a fire melting pot. How it started the evidence is insufficient to determine, but all accidental causes presenting any degree of probability may be eliminated, except a detonating spark arising from friction or impact, or secondly spontaneous ignition, duo to the decomposition of materials in and about the melting pot. The com-

raittee's various , recommendations regarding future precautions in the handling of the explosive concerned will now be followed. Sixty-nine persons were killed on: the spot, and 98 i were seriously wounded, four of these dying; 308 were slightly injured, besides 500 to 600 suffering from cuts and bruises who wares,treated in the streets./ MUNITION FACTORY EXPLOSION. DAMAGE SLIGHT. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. and lleuter.) Received 6 p.m., March 28th-. LONDON, March Ml. An accidental explosion occurred in a munition factory in the north, of England. The damage was slight. One . person was killed and nine were injured.