BRITAIN AND THE PIRATE BLOCKADE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2393, 24 February 1915, Page 5

BRITAIN AND THE PIRATE BLOCKADE

REPRISALS UNDER CONSIDERATION ITALIAN VESSELS HEED ON • London, February 22. The Prim's Minister (Mr. Asquit-h), speaking in the House of Commons, said the Government was considering'what _ reprisals should be taken against Germany for attacking merchantmen. Britain would oertainly'issue a-Note, and hoped'to make it a joint Note. . ME. TAFT WARNS TEE UNITED STATES. Mo'rrlstown (New Jersey), FebV 22. Mr. Taft has warned the United States that she is now faced with a serious'international crisis, and her. only danger is lest the jingo spirit is allowed to prevail. Mr. Taft denounced the planting of mines and the torpedoing of merchantmen as violations of rules governing contraband, and neutral commerce. If; American lives are lost, he said, the Government would then be faced with the' most momentous event in its history. The United States must sell arms and ammunition to any nation abls to purchase ' them, because if_ the United States goes to war it would requir'e a similar service from other nations. THE LIE DIRECT TO GERMANY STRAIGHT HITTING BY SIR EDWARD GREY. (Rec. February 24, 0.50 a.m.) _ . _ _ New York, February 23. Sir E. Grey (British Foreign Secretary), in a communication to Mr. Bryan (United States Secretary) describes as a falsehood the intimation from Berlin that the British intended to destroy an American ship in the war - zone and accuse a German, submarine, thus precipitating a crisis between the; United States and Germany. -

JUSTIFICATION FOR FLYING NEUTRAL FLAGS. 'A "Times" correspondent writes"Sir Edward Grey need not rely on one 1 incident from the American Civil War to justify his Note, for the United States vessels used the British flag during the _ Spanish-American war. Aii American boat sailed from Lowes .flying the Union Jack, and the commander justified his action by saying that though ho was an American citizen he was not a. born fool.. THE ATTACK QJT THE NORWEGIAN STEAMER BELRIDGE. London, February 22. The captain of the Belridge declares that there was no possibility of doubt of the vessel's nationality, as she was flying the Norwegian flag, which was illuminated by electric light. [The Belridge is the Norwegian oil tank steamer which was attacked and damaged by a German submarine in the Channel.] (Rec. February 23, 5.20 p.m.) _ • ■ " " , London, Febraaij 23. Christiania is exasperated at the destruction of the Belridge. It is insisted that unless Germany declares that the attack was a mistake, and gives compensation, Norway will claim damages from German shipping at present in her harbours,—"Timos" and Sydney "Sun" Services. AUSTRIAN TORPEDO BOATS SHELL ITALIAN VESSELS ITALIAN CABINET IN SPECIAL SESSION. Rome, February 22. A special meeting of Cabinet is being held, to inquire into the matter of three Austrian torpedo boats entering Antivari Harbour (which belongs to Montenegro), and firing on the schooners C Jesu Crucifiso and Saturno. Aeroplanes simultaneously dropped, bombs'. < . - .. Rome, February 22. The captains.ofthe JesuCrucifisoand Saturno (the schooners which were fired on) state that they hoisted the Italian flag before the Austrians fired. , INSTRUCTIONS TO MASTERS OF VESSELS. Rome, February 22. The Italian Admiralty directs that ships navigating English waters should bo painted with the Italian colours, and the port of origin displayed. Immediately they are sighted they must send off a .boat with tbs ship's paper* to meet ths submarine.

PRO-WAR DEMONSTRATIONS IN ITALIAN CITIES. Rome, February 22. Pro-war demonstrations have been organised by the Nationalist Association and counter-demonstrations by the Socialists in all the large towns. An anti-war meeting in Rome resulted in a riot. The hall was invaded, aud many of the demonstrators were injured. (Rec. February 24, 0.55 a.m.) Rome, February 23. 'A crowd on a piazza in Venice burned the Austrian flag. THE SPORT OF SUBMARINE HUNTING STEAMER CAPTAIN CLAIMS A REWARD. London, February 22. Baltimore reports that the captain of the steamer Overdale claims^ priority in connection with the reward offered to the first British captain to sink a German submarine. He Bays that on New Year's Day, when' off the English coast, during a snowstorm, the Overdale crashed down and sank a partially submerged submarine. The impact smashed two of the Overdale's propeller blades and caused a leak. The repairs occnpied three weeks. TWO LARGE SUBMARINES MISSING. Amsterdam, February 22. There is uneasiness at Ouxhaven over two large submarines which are missing. , " NEITHER FRANCE NOR BRITAIN IS FRIGHTENED " STATEMENT BY THE FRENCH MINISTER FOR MARINE. (Rec. February 23, 5.20 p.m.) London, February 23. M Augagneur, French Minister of Marine, states that neither France nor England is frightened ly threats or by the acts of German submarines. "Our only resolution," he says, "is to tighten the network of sea surveillance and stopping Germany's food supplies. All the necessary measures have been taken to nullify of reduce to a minimum the consequences of this war. "More than one submarine will never return to Germany, vie hope to make the Kaiser's fleet pay duly for the loss of a few trading vessels." ■ : \ SPAIN AND THE BLOCKADE. (Rec. February 23, 5.20 p.m.) ' London, February 23. The German Consul at Cadiz (Spain) has warned the shipping companies of the necessity of keeping their vessels in port, on account of the' blockade, lfle German-owned companies have ordered their vessels to return immediately. The Spanish Government is attaching little importance to. the warning, aild. merely recommends masters of ships to immediately comply with demands tor proofs of their nationality—"Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services. ■ * ' 1 MUCH CRY AND LITTLE WOOL.-A SLUMP IN SPIRITS. (Rec. February 24. 1.40 a.m.) N ~ ' , Amsterdam. February 23. Travellers report that Berlin is gloomy, and disappointed at the meagre 1 results of the blockade. They realise they have insufficient submarines to make it an effective campaign.