P. & O. LINER PERSIA

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2659, 3 January 1916, Page 5

P. & O. LINER PERSIA

TORPEDOED OFF CRETE GREAT LOSS OF LIFE , ' H.M.S. NATAL .WRECKED .■ BY INTERNAL EXPLOSION ABOUT 300 MEN MISSING TWO .AUSTRIAN DESTROYERS SUNK • 'A passenger liner, the Peninsular and Oriental Company's Persia, has been torpedoed in the Mediterranean, between Crete and Alexandria. She carried many women and children, and apparently was torpedoed without warning, since most' of those on board were drowned. A serious naval loss is also announced. The British armoured cruiser Natal has been sunk, in harbour, by an internal explosion. Chief interest where the land campaigns are concerned attaches to reports of a great battle on the southern section of the Russian front, with the Russians in the role of attackers. It is stated that they have effected a very heavy concentration of men and gune". Further interesting accounts are given of the organisation of tho Allied defences at Salonika. It is mentioned also that General Sarrail has interned the Consuls of enemy countries, a\step against which the Greek Government has protested. Intense ac- . . tivity by light warships and submarines is reported in the Adriatic. ; The French has lost a submarine, and tho Austrians two destroyers and a supply ship. Enemy submarines are reported to be interfering to a serious extent with the passage of supplies to Montenegro. Some further particulars are given of the an ticipated character of the compul- : sory legislation contemplated in Gr eat Britain, and its prospects in . Parliament.