Submaring Resumed
A DOZEN VESSELS SUNK IN 24 HOURS.
GERMANY'S NEW POLICY.
Received July 20, 7.5 p.m
LONDON, July 20
There has been a remarkable recrudescence of submarine activity, nearly a dozen vessels having been sunk during the past twenty-four hours. The change was not announced, but some light is thrown on the matter by latest German news-
papers
The "Morning Berne correspondent calls attention to a semi official article in the "Lokal Anzeiger" calculated to cheer up advocates of the former ruthless methods. It discusses the abrogation of the Declaration of London and suggests that England may use her power to force neutrals to adopt an unfriendly, and if possible, hostile attitude towards Austro-Gerniany that will ultimately mean that all Austria and Germany's frontiers will be closed. If such a situation arose, Germany would probably reconsider the question.
The cessation of submarining was ordered out of consideration for the United States and other neutrals, and with the object of preserving friendly feelings towards Germany. In the event of England succeeding- in inducing neutrals to adopt an attitude of active or passive hostility towards Germany, one important reason for the decision regarding cessation arrived at in the spring of 1916 would cease to exist. j The British press considers, in view of the ruthless submarining of tlie past few days, that 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 foi* greater mthlessness, and declare that it is a short step from the seizure and ..sinking of neutral vessels to the invasion of surrounding neutrals, particularly Denmark, with a View to commandeering supplies. :
The "Lokal Anzeiger" further hints at an important secret change concerning submarines, which will be a great advantage in the event of Germany being compelled to act ruthlessly. The paper adds: The new decision will probably have to be made soon.
The "Kneuz Zeitung" qualifies the announcement by stating that the decision must be made quickly, otherwise1 "GdrmijLny will lose the bes.t time of the year for submarining.
The "Neueste Nachrichten" says: In the last No£e to America we reserved a free hand to submarine mercantile ships during the war in the event of America failing to induce England to alter her blockade 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
Submaring Resumed
Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXI, Issue 16690, 21 July 1916, Page 5
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