CLEAR WARNING AGAINST PIRACY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2387, 17 February 1915, Page 5

CLEAR WARNING AGAINST PIRACY

UNITED STATES' NOTE TO GERMANY BRITISH VESSELS AND THE AMERICAN FLAG n'L . . « London, February 15. J.he American Note'to Germany states that if German submarines destroy American vessels' without first determining their nationality the United States could not view the act except as an indefensible violation of neutral rights, and will be constrained to hold Germany to strict account for such acts, and take such steps as are necessary for the safeguard, ot American lives and property. * _ The Note to Great Britain declares that America, views with anxious solicitude the general use of the United States flag by British vessels traversing blockaded waters.—"Times" and Sydney "Sun" services. IS THE BLOCKADE THREAT A- BLUFF? „ , , , „. . London, February 15. t Copenhagen reports that the British and American disbelief of the effi-' cienc.v of a blockade of the British coasts has greatly angered Germany. The word "bluff" as applied to the blockade threat particularly annoys the German Admiralty. Herr Erzeberger, a member of the Reichetag, has written to the Press that the blockade threat is no bluff; the Admiralty and mercantile Diarine are confident that a blockade can be made successful. It is not, however, desired to antagonise neutrals, and no obstacles will be placed in the way- of grain transports ■to the Belgian population 'and the devastated, districts of Poland, or copper shipments 'to Sweden. The Admiralty and the management of the Atlantic lines are taking extreme precautions to ensure the safety •of psssenger>. WASHINGTON RECEIVES ' NOTE FROM GERMANY. (Rec. February 16, 8.50 p.m',) „ ~ Washington, February 15. Count Bernetorff (the German Ambassador to the United States) has presented a Note stating that Germany is ready to consider the abandonment of her attacks on British merchantmen if Britain will not interfere with the conveyance of foodstuffs for civilians in Germany. NEW YORK GERMAN PRESS RIDICULES AMERICAN NEUTRALITY. m, r, 3-. , „ ' , London, February 15. The German daily papers m New York ridicule American neutrality as a farce, and predict a conflict with Germany if the attitude of the State Department is maintained. „ Amsterdam, February 15. Captain rersius, an authoritative German naval writer, in a letter to the "Berliner Tagoblatt," says the use of a neutral flag is (.ustomary as a ruse de guerre, but Britain prescribes as principle what is only occasionally permissible. PUBLIC NOT TO EXPECT A "SUDDEN COUP." (Rec. February 16, 10.30 p.m.) „ . Copenhagen, February 16. ' A German Admiralty Communique warns the public not to cspect a sudden coup on February 18. The date is only a warning to neutrals of stronger war measures. - ° DIRE OUTLOOK FOR GERMAN POPULATION. (Rec. February 16, 10.30 p.m.) _ Copenhagen, February 16. The "Politeken" states that Germany's food and grain statistics were wrongly compiled. The errors surprised the Government, and it may be necessary for the whole population to get their food at public eating-houses. VALUABLE CARGO OF COPPER SEIZED. Copenhagen, February 15. The Camen, supposes to contain sugar but heavily laden with copper for Germany, has been seized. The captain and a merchant were arrested. The vessel's copper cargo was valued at £80,000. It was intended to tranship it to sea, and tbo vessel then to be sunk. [There is no "Camen" in- Lloyd's Shipping List. 'The Camden, a steamer of 2153 tons, is American, owned by the Eastern Steamship Corporation, Boston.] - BRITISH STEAMER MINED AND BEACHED. London, February 15. The British steamer Wavelet, 2992 tons, from Ponsacola (Florida) to Leitli, struck a mine, and was beached at Deal. Her crew lauded, except twelve, .who were drowned through the capsizing of a boat.' ' , . GERMAN FISHING FLOTILLA ACTIVE. . London, February 15. Copenhagen states that there is extraordinary activity among the German fishing flotilla. All the available boats are being pressed into service.

GREAT ANXIETY IN SCANDINAVIA.. (Rec. February 16, 5.20 p.m.) London, February 15. Reports from state that Northern Europe is awaiting February 18 with anxiety; 150 Scandinavian and 62 Danish steamers are coming from ovoreeas with foodstuffs urgently needed for Scandinavia and Denmark." It is anticipated that the British breakfast-table will suffer by tho German blockado.—"Times" and Sydney "Sun' services.