THE PIRATE WAR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2829, 21 July 1916, Page 5

THE PIRATE WAR

REMARKABLE RECRUDESCENCE OF ACTIVITY ; HINT OP A RETURN TO RUTHLESSNESS A DARK THREAT Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Rcc. July 20, 7.5 p.m.) London, July 20. There has been a remarkable recrndes. conco of submarine activity. Nearly a dozen vessels have been sunk during tho Bast twenty-four hours. This -change of policy by tho Germans was not announced. but some light is thrown on tho mat. ter by the latest German newspapers. The "Morning Post's" Berne correspondent calls attention to a semi-official articlo in the "Lokal Anzeiger," which is calculated to cheer up. tho advocates of Germany's former ruthless methods. The article discusses tho abrogation of the Declaration of London, and suggests that England may use her power to force neutrals to adopt an unfriendly, and, if possible, a hostile attitude towards Austria and "That, ultimately, will mean that' all Austria's and Germany's frontiers will be ( closed. If such a situation aroso," says tho article, "Germany would probably reeonsidcr the cessation of her submarine ""warfare, which was ordered out of consideration for tho United States and other neutrals ivitli the object of preserving friendly feelings towards Germany. In the event of Eng. land succeeding in inducing neutrals to adopt an attitudo of active or passive hostility towards Germany, one important reason for the decision for this cessation, which, was arrived at in the spring of 1916, Trill havo ceased to exist."

Tho "I/okal Anzciger" further hints at nn important secret change concerning tho Gorman submarines, which would bo a great advantage in the event of Germany being compelled to act ruthlessly, and adds: "A now d-ocision will probably have to be made soon."

"Kreuz Zoitung" qualifies tho announcement by saying tli.'ifc "a decision must be mado quickly; otherwise wo Bhall lose the best tinio of the year foe submarine attacks."

Tho "Neuesto Nachrichten" says: "In our last Note to America we Teserved a free hand to engage in a submarine mercantile war in the event of America failing to induce .England to alter her procedure, which was an infringement of all international law Governing neutrals' trade with Germany. But tho time to •use our free hand has not yet arrived."

Tho British Press considers that in view of the ruthloss attacks by submarines during tho past few days there is a reasonable deduction that (Germany has decidcd that England is influencing neutrals: definitely in favour of the Allies. Some critics are even prepared for a greater display of ruthlessness. They declare that it is but a short step from tho seizure and sinking of neutral vessels to tho invasion of surrounding neutral countries, particularly Denmark, with a view to commandeering supplies.