ON THE SEAS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16168, 23 March 1918, Page 9

ON THE SEAS.

GERMAN DESTROYERS SUNK. .. NAVAL ACTION OFF DUNKIRK(Bt Cablo. —Press AsrociaUou.-CopyriGht-' (Auitralian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, March 20British and French destroyers sank five enemy light craft. LONDON, March Jl. German destroyers, which wero. bombarding Dunkirk at dawn, wero into - coptcdV the fire of British and French vessels and. compelled to fisut.of the German ships were sunt. THE OFFICIAL REPORT. ("Received March 23rd, 2.15 a.m.) LONDON. March 21The Admiralty reports that two British and three French destroyers, off Dunkirk, between four and five in tho morning, engaged German destroyers, which had previously bombarded the town for ten minutes. Two enemy destroyers and two tor-pedo-boats are believed to have been sunk. The survivors of the two torpedoers were, picked up. No Allied vessels were sunk. A British destroyer was damaged, but reached harbour. Tho British casualties were 6light, and there were no French casualties. THE DUTCH SHIPS. WASHINGTON, March 21. j Holland's reply to tho Allies' demand ; for shipping lias been received by the State Department, which has not yet discussed the contents. Neuter's Telegrams.) THE HAGUE, March 21. Tho Foreign Minister in the Second Chamber stated that the placing of ships at tho Allies' disposal was not n breach of neutrality. Tho Government at first intended to refuse, but reconsidered the matter in view of the fact that the interests ol" her industries, < .lipping, and colonies were involved. A million tons of Holland's shipping outsido Dutch ports were affected. The debate is proceeding. (Australian and N.Z. Cubic Association.) (Received March 22nd, 10.15 p.m.) LONDON", March 21. It is not clear whether the I>utch Parliament's acceptance of the ultimatum merely referred to approval of the Foreign Minister's statement. Tho Dutch Government's reply has not yet been received in London, but it is believed that tho Entente will proceed with the requisitions. The latest Hague messages state that it is understood that the Entente refused the Dutch conditions, causing a new crisis. (Australian and Jf.Z. Cable Association.) (Received March 22nd, 7.25 p.m.) CAPETOWN, March 21. In the Assembly,' the Premier, in reply to a question, donied that neutral ships had boen refused coal at South African ports. Ho knew nothing regarding the seizuro of Dutch shipping beyond what had boon published.' He sincerely hoped that Holland would be able to keep out of the ■war.