RUTHLESS WAR ON SHIPPING

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2950, 9 December 1916, Page 9

RUTHLESS WAR ON SHIPPING

/ A NEW YEAR THREAT BY THE ' PIRATES . ATTEMPT TO TERRORISE NEUTRALS London, December 7. The -Amsterda'm-.'uorrespondent of "The Times" is. reliably • informed that the Germans intend to commence 3, most. ruthless submarine campaign on; January 1. Already Germany has in-, timated this fact .to. neutral Govern-' ments, and is inviting'them to make concessions to Germany*■ 'in 1 order to obtain comparative immunity. Anti-war risks were effected on Wednesdayon two British steamers subiect. to a. warranty of their being armed—' "The. Times." . SINKING OE THE ARABIA GERMAN EXCUSES'AND EX- " PLANTATIONS ! New York, December, 7. ■ Germany's reply to the American Note regarding the sinking .of the Arabia lias been issued. It states that,' for extraordinary , reasons, the com-' mander mistook the vessel for a transport: . He did so because she was not painted. • light colour, like other P. and 0.. steamers, and was not travelling in the' regular" route. Several similar steamers :were passed by the; submarine on the ..same, unusual course.: There were many Chinese and other col- : foured persons visible' on board the • Arabia, to- "workmen' soldiers." The captain of .-the subma- | rine did not see any women or chil[dren, and therefore concluded that the; Arabia was a transport, and attacked l her without delay.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ! CERMANS REMINDED OF THE SUSSEX. "NO MORE OF THESE REGRET-' TABLE MISTAKES." « N (Rec. December 8, 11.45 p.m.) • Washington, December .7. Commenting on a portion of tfc# A'rabia..Note,.in .which it is stated that "if tho Arabia is proved "to have been an ordinary passenger steamer, it will be a mistake." the United States officials point out tliat at the time of tho Sussex case, America, stipulated that there must be "no more regrettable mistakes." • The officials-do not consider that the' Note "makes out a strong case for Germany.— Cable Assn. j

THE LATEST VICTIMS London, December 7. The Danish steamer Ncxos and the • Spanish steamer Julian Benito have been sunk by submarines. A Swedishsailing vessel was set on fire by. a "■ German submarine in the North Sea. The crew were rescued.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PIRATE SUBMARINES IN THE BALTIC. (Rec. December 8, 10.55 p.m.) London, December 8. German submarines have again interrupted tho traffic between Finland and. Sweden, and' ara lavishly mining the Gulf of Bothnia.—"Tho Times."THE .GRAVITY OF THE SHIPPING ' PROBLEM ; A'STRIKING COMPARISON. (Rec. December 8, 5.30 p.m.) London, December 7. Tho incoming shipping for the month of November, including vessels from the Overseas Dominions and neutral countries shows a decrease of 1,385.625 tons, as. oonipared with the- previous November. ..The -tonnage, for the .eleven months of : the present year decreased by 3? millions, compared with' 1915, and by 12} millions as compared with the corresponding eleven months of 1914. ' ... - The "Times" city editor comments: — figures strikingly reveal the gravity of the shipping problem."— "The Times." ; FULLY SUBSCRIBED BEFORE CLOSING DATE V BRITAIN'S LOAN FROM JAPAN. London,-December 7. Reuter's Agency has been informed that tho British' loan-from Japan was fully'subscribed. : Tho lists were closed on December 5 instead of December 12.—Renter. _ ; THE RED FUNNEL FLEET RUMOURED BIG MERGER ON ( FOOT London, December 7. The "Pall Mall Gazette" states that a large company is attempting to secure control of "the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.