BRITISH NAVY WELL PREPARED

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2995, 5 February 1917, Page 5

BRITISH NAVY WELL PREPARED

NO NEED FOR ALARM IRec. February 4, 5.5 p.m.) ■ Londorii February 2. After the first wave or excitement, interest in Britain is now centred npon America. Everyone is awaiting President Wilson's decision, and prospects of an Amercan break with Germany overshadow other war topics. The "Central News Agency's" correspondent lias been assured in a high Admiralty quarter that there are no grounds for undue alarm at Germany's last "U-boat threat. The enemy's plans havo long been foreseen, and adequate precautions have boon taken to deal effectively with this new piracy. The _ ''Central News Agency" emphasises the fact that the Admiralty nii'tboriticE alone are in a position to estimate the submarine menace at its true worth, and the public will bs relieved to' learn fiat the Na.vyTs equal to any emergency; ENEMY AT HIS LAST GASP

(Rec. February 4, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 2. Mv. H. Tf. Mspsiiiguani, writing ia the "Nation," sayg that Herr vou Bethniann-Hojlwej: recently privately addressed representative Germans. He .admitted that the internal situation was deplorahlo, and that it would be impossible for Germany to hold out longer, though the Army might lie sus- . taincd for two .years. He had therefore decided to Beek a decisive stroke by unrestricted submarine warfare.—United Service. A HINT FROM SPAIN (Rec. February 4, 5.5 p.m.) , rl ~ _ Madrid, February 3. Senor Romanones (the Spanish Premier), in opening the Cortes, said that the Government had not yet Teached a decision in regard to the German Note, "but," he said, "the nation's life cannot, and will not, be interrupt-ed."—Aus.-N.Z. Gable Assn. < SWEDEN IN STRAirS (Rec. February 'A, 5.5 p.m.) mi. o j- i. r< <• 4 Copenhagen, February 2. ; The Swedish Government organ t na Stockholm "Dagblad," points out that the Government, m 1816, bought 200,000 tons of grain and a Vast quantity of foodstufts from America.. "Only 7O> ooo tons havo hitherto been imported into this country, which is threatened with a. shortage. ,. The newspaper demands the seizure of all raw material, especially that belonging to foreigners, and also insists on a drastic restriction of exports owing to the shortage of coal.—Reuter. h A STRAIT-WAISTCOAT FOR GERMANY (Beo. February 4, 5.5 p.m.) -,- n , R '° 6* 'Janeiro, February 3. *u IK l r » M l wn i. Pr^ s , C( ! nde s all s the German threats, and insists that if the United States should be involved, South. America, should follow her Thev supesT; timely protective steps. "The neutral nations must put Germany into a straight waistcoat."—Reuter. ' ALLIES' ATTITUDE SUMMED-UP (Rec. February 4, 5.5 p.m.) The cool and firm attitude of the Uk & « well 'sSd Admiral Lacaze'B (French Minister or .Marine) BpC ech in the Paris Senate He said "What more abominable crimes can t] le Germans commit than those they have committed? lie*, never had any scruples. They have always ,1 solemn oonveutaonß. Th ey signed The Hague Convention. A" French merchantmen are now arm e d for defence. Thus far, ttie results of the blockade of Britain and Franco have been insicnificant. In the eleven months from .Unuary till December, 1916, the dipping at French ports totalled 51,(00,000 tons, of which 273,000 was sunk, less thnn I per cent. If greater losses are in store the country, will hear its hardships with unshaken morale." ■ l