ON THE SEAS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16163, 18 March 1918, Page 7

ON THE SEAS.

SHIPS FOR THE ALLIES. DUTCH VESSELS TO BE SEIZED. (Australian and N. 2. Cable Association.) (Received March 17th, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 15. Britain and America liavo decided to seize Dutch shipping, because it is urgently needod. Holland wished to enter into an agreement but -was prevented by German threats to torpedo Dutch ships and establish a U-boat blockade of tho North Sea route to Holland. Officials do not expect that Holland will formally sign an agreement, but believe that she will tacitly acquiesce in tho arrangement. DUTCH GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE. (Received March 17th, 5.5 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, March 10. The Dutch Government objects to its ships being used in the danger zone in European waters, otherwise it is prepared to accede the British and American request in exchange for food- ] stuffs from America and facilities for j traffic with the Dutch colonies. GERMAN PRESS ENRAGED. (Recoivcd March 17th, 5.5 p.m.) COPENHAGEN, March 15.The British and American decision to utilise Dutch shipping has thrown the Gorman Press into a towering rage. All journals demand drastic tneasures against Holland if she yields. COMMENT IN AMERICA. NEW YORK, March 15. Tho New York ''World" states that the seizure of Dutch ships is fully warranted by international law. The New York "Tribune" says that it may be takon for granted that Holland will not resent the seizure*, though she may formally protest. Germany may threaten dire consequences if Holland submits, but it is hardly likely that she will deliberately add Holland to her list of enemies. Tlis seizure has a historic precedent in Germany's seizure of neutral shipping during the Franco-Prussian war in 1370.

THE TONNAGE AVAILABLE. WASHINGTON, March 1-1. The Allies propose to give Holland foodstuffs in return for the use of her shipping. Holland also_ receives a liberal monetary consideration. The ships will be armed and insured It is estimated that 1,000,000 Dutch shipping will bo available, ol which 70 tier cent, is in American ports. ANOTHER NEUTRAL VICTIM. (Reuter's Telegrams.) <Received March 17th, 5.5 p.m.. COPENHAGEN, March 15. The Danish steamer Randelsborg (luol ton?) was torpedoed outside the German danger zone. The captain vras taken prisoner and the crew abandoned after the Germans had rifled the ship. NORWEGIAN STEAMER SUNK. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received March 17th, 7.30 p.m.) COPENHAGEN, March 15. The Norwegian steamer I dine nas been 6unk. The crew "were saved.

COLLISION IN IRISH SEA. . (Received March 17th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 15. Hie steamer Rathmore, with 640 passengers aboard, collided with a naval vessel in the Irish Sea. Thirty-sis persons are missing. Destroyers rescued the remainder. The Rathmore was towed to Dublin. Twenty of tlio survivors were injured. NO LIVES LOST. CRcuter's Telegrams.) March 17th. 11.30 p.nO LONDON. March 16. The North-Western Railway Company states that no fatalities resulted from the Rathmore collision. A telegram from Dublin states chat there were possibly four casualties. The Rathmore was carrying 660 soldiers and 3S civilians, including v. omen and children. She collided with a mine-sweeper in the darkness. One boat capsized, but the inmates were rescued. The soldiers and the crew showed the coolest behaviour. Both vessels were towed to port. The Rathmore was a steel screw steamer of 1569 tons. She was built in 190$. and was owned by tlio London and North-Western Railway Company.

THE MATU-NGA'S FATE. > MORE ABOUT THE RAIDER WOLF. (By Cable.—Prcas Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.H. Cable Association.) • LONDON, March 15. Continuing his story giving details of the sinking ol' the Matunga, and the subsequent experiences of those who had been on board her, Major Flood, of the Australian tropical forces, after describing the initial stages in the attack on the Japanese steamer Hitachi Maru, said: — "The Hitachi Maru's wireless operator, who was utiinjlired, continued to signal. The Hitachi Maru's 30 passengers and 100 of the crew got into tho boats. One capsized while being lowered, and a number of the crew and passengers jumped into the sea, but only one was drowned. A prize crew boarded the Hitachi Maru and headed for tho Maldive Islands, arriving 16 hours later. "Meantime the vessel's decks were cleaned, and 15 dead dumped overboard, but despite the cleaning the ship presented a horrible sight when we were transferred to her. The decks wero everywhere bloodstained and the poop _ and funnels riddled with shot. Judging by her appearance there were probably more than 15 killed. "The Wolf took in 200 tons-of coal from tho Hitachi Maru. She stayed at tho Maldive Island a few days. The Wolf left first, the Hitachi Maru following two days later. In response to an urgent message ft'om a sdaplane, she steamed south and met the Wolf at a reef off the Chagos Gtoiip, and there discharged niore cargo ana coal into the Woif. The Hitachi Maru remained at Chagos for six weeks, the Wolf leaving on several cruises. "Finally, we were transferred to the Wolf, and tho Germans prepared to sink tho Hitachi Maru, which went down bow first. THE IGOTZ MENDI. "The Igotz Mendi, live days later, with 7000 tons of coal, surrendered. The Igotz Mendi proceeded north-east "until she reached the latitude of Spain, whero she again picked up the Wolf. "For a time there wero tremendous gales, which lasted until wo arrived 300 miles southward of .Iceland, tvhefl the Wolf reappeared on February 6th."

Commenting on the destruction of tlio Matunga by the raider "Wolf, the Sydney "StiH" says:—One of the significant features is the circumstance that tho "Wolf must have had knowledge which could only liave come from Australia regarding the valuable cargo carried by the vessel. Irt addition to carrying 1000 tons of coal, she had extensive food supplies for the Australian troops now occupying German New Guinea. During the period tho Matunga was in those waters the Morinda was also there. The' Morinda was not even challenged. It is a fact that the Morinda carried hardly any cargo at all. Those on the raider must have known this, and tho question arises: "Who told them? 1 ' CONCRETE SHIPS. SAN FRANCLSc<J, March. 15. A reinforced concrete ship of 7000 tons has been launched at a Pacific port. Fifty-four others Mill be built wiihdut delay.