THE PIRATE WAR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2748, 17 April 1916, Page 5

THE PIRATE WAR

REPORTED "FINAL REQUEST" FROM AMERICA PRESS COMMENT MARINE INSURANCE UP By TeTegrai)h—Press Association—Copyright Washington, April 14. President Wilson and the State Department have agreed to the dispatch of the evidence of submarino atrocities to Berlin, together with what is described as a final request for satisfaction. The Press says that President Wilson is simply giving another exouso to Germany to delay negotiations while continuing to murder Americans. (Rec. April 16, 5.5 p.m.) London, April 16. The "Daily Chronicle's" Now York correspondent states that the United States Cabinet has approved President Wilson's submarine policy, and a Note will be sent to Germany reiterating America's demands for a "humane legal conduct of submarine warfare, intimating that any further offence against American lives will be followed by a severance of diplomatic relations. The correspondent' adds: "This is America's last word." MARINE INSURANCE RATES TAKE ANOTHER. JUMP London, April 14. All marine insurance rates have been largely increased o,ver those for March sailings to Australia via the Cape. The rates are now 80s. From London to the Mediterranean east of Sicily the rates are 120s. Freights to Queensland direct ports have been raised to 80s. by weight, and 110s. by measurement. Sydney, April 15. The insurance companies have been advised that inward and outward shipping rates via the Mediterranean havo been raised to 5 per cent., and via the Cape to' 4 per cent.. THE TOLL ON OUR SEA CARRIERS ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. April 15, 5.15 pi.) London, April 14. "The Times's" naval correspondent states that. Thursday's submarine toll showed an increase. Six ships were re. ported to have either been attacked by submarines or mined. "It is just possible," he says, "that the severity oJ the outburst in home waters is waning, but it continues in the Mediterranean. It is 6tated {hat the total ,of tonnage represents'so percent.,'and of this 5 per- cent, is approxiitiate'!'wa'i losses, 5 per cent, is wastage, and 40 per cent. ; is 'due to naval and military requirements. "Lloyd's returns show that 424 merchantmen were under construction during the last quarter—just sufficient- to make up the wastage caused by the enemy. The completion of these ships is another matter. The Navy -las, firs! call on labour, and if the submarine campaign grows, it is possible that industrial compulsion will be necessarj for tho solution of the problem." A ship-owner writes to the "Dailj Mail": "The.closing of the North Sea nfter satis Wing neutral needs, is tin remedy for the shortage, of .tonnage There is still sufficient Allied and neutral tonnage for tho world's need, bui while wo permit neutrals to carry vas' quantities of goods destined for Ger many, we cannot expect to have enougl for our requirements." NARROW ESCAPE OF LORD CHELMSFORL ■-. ' (Rec. April 16, 5.6 p.m.) \ London, April. 15. '-~ "The Times" reports that a German submarine attempted to destroy ..the steamer on which Lord. Chelmsford (the new Viceroy of India) and his family voyaged from England. . Lloyd's-reports that, the British steamer Shenandoah (3886 tonB) has been mined and sunk. Two of the crew are missing. PIRATES' CLAIM FOR A MONTH'S WORK, (Rec. April 16, 5.5 p'.m'.) "' " London, April 15. • A Berlin official message states that ' eighty enemy merchantmen were sunk by the Gorman submarines and mines during March, a total loss of 207,000 tons. ..... SUPPOSED WORK OF A BRITISH ' SUBMARINE ' (Rec. April 16, 5.5 p.m.) Copenhagen, April 15. A severely damaged torpedo boat passed Helsinge (in Denmark), steaming southwards. The damage is attributed, to a British submarine. Skippers report that a German cruiser squadron is patrolling outside the Gulf of Riga, and there are many new German submarines in the Southern Baltic. The Germans are laying a huge submerged steel net, with meshes six yards in diamoter, across tho international waters south of the Drogdon lightship, against attacks by British submarines. SEIZED MEAT CARGOES % (Rec. April 16, 5.5 p.m.) London, April 15. A satisfactory settlement has been arranged in respect to the claims of the lea'ding Chicago meat packers against the British Government regarding, the wholesale seizure of meat-car-goes, destined ostensibly for neutral countries, and valued at three millions sterling. Many cargoes which have been held up in Holland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and others have been Bold whore circumstances required.