THE MENACE OF THE PIRATES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2931, 17 November 1916, Page 5

THE MENACE OF THE PIRATES

DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS DEMAND FOR ENERGETIC POLICY Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Rec. November 16, 5.53 p.m.) '. London, November 15. In tho House of Lords, Lord Sydenham asked the Government for a definite declaration of policy on behalf of the Allies with regard to the monstrous proceedings by the German submarines. There was au uneasy feeling in the country that the submarine menace was more serious than the authorities admitted, and he would like the Government to make a de(claration exacting ton for ten. ■ The Government should also give greater freedom of action to'the fleet. Lord Bercsford' said that the Foreign Office had entirely taken oyer our naval policy, and this had handicapped tbe navy's work. We had abandoned tho policy of attack, and! substituted that of defence. The mercantile, marine was in great danger, and our food and material supplies were m peril. The Board at the Admiralty, hfvsaid, must be strengthened by the introduction of new blood aud younger men fresh from the sea. . The Marquis of Crewe (Lord President of the Council) replied: "It is useless to say that we should exact this or that reparation unless we areablo to impose terras of peace by obtaining a complete victory. The only voice which can speak with authority now is the voice of tho caniinu on the Allied fronts. The misdeeds of these submarines are only a small part of the German crimes. There is the sinking of the Lusitania. the murders of Miss Cavell aud Captain Fryatt, and the Bolcian and Polish atrocities. Before anything can be done wc must secure a complete victory. The Government is roakinc the necessary preparations to ;irm the mercantile marina. The;

'Admiralty has been singularly success ful in the destruction of submarines but the difficulties of' dealing wit] these have increased." Replying to a question in the Housi of Commons, Dr. ■ Macnamara (Finan cial Secretary to the Admiralty) sail tho Admiralty was giving uriremittinj attention to tlio possibility of counter ing the activity of the enemy's sub marines. It should! be remembered, h said, that out of the total British ton nage of merchant vessels of over thousand tons, wo had' lost to Soptom ber 13 only slightly over 2-} per cent.