THE SUPER-FRIGHTFUL WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3002, 13 February 1917, Page 5

THE SUPER-FRIGHTFUL WAR

NEW MENACE GRAPPLED WITH j- _L_ ■ STATEMENT BY THE GERMAN CHANCELLOR By Telegraph!— Press Assn—Copyright. •,.'•' New York, February 11. The 'American Consul at Queenstown reports that the British-India steamer Mantola (6828 tons) was torpedoed l without warning on February 8, south-west of Fastnet. She had on board 165 of a crew and 109 passengers. , The only American was the ship's surgeon. All were saved except a few las-cars.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. London, February 11. The doctor on hoard the steamer Mantola states that there was a violent explosion, which killed seven lascars. Excellent order was kept, and everyone immediately got into tho boats except tho captain, tho chief engineer, and tho wireless operator, who remained to repair the wireless. After an hour and a half, distress calls wero sent out, and immediately tho submarine, which had evidently been lying in a haze a couplo of miles off, began shelling the Mantola and the boats, but, nobody was hurt. Sighting the Zaburon • on the horizon, .the submarine submerged, and the crew of the'Mantola was picked np. The ship sank in the evening.—Renter. OTHER VICTIMS. London, February 11. The British steamer Saloga and the trawler Duke of York have been sunk. The Italiaa steamer Luigina (1700 tons) is ashore. The captain and ten men were drowned, and five lives wero saved. Othor vessek reported aro the British steamer Beechtrco (1277 tons), tho crow of which landed; the British' steamer Japanese Prince (4875 tons); and tho Norwegian steamer Illavore (2732 tons), tho captain of which has landed, but twelve are missing; and the Havgard (1270 tons).—Atis.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ,: . AMERICAN SUBJECTS ON JAPANESE PRINCE. Newport News, Fobruarv 11. The British Vice-Consul states th at .the British steamer Japaneso Prince, which.' is reported to have been sunk, hadl aboard twenty white American mule- '' ' (Rcc. February 13, 0.10 a.m.) . ' , ■ London, February 12. The following.losses aro reported:— British: Voltaire, Olivia, Victoria. Greek: Vosilissaolga. The total is fourteen ships, aggregating 24,000 tons.—United Service. BETTER NEWS FROM THE SEA LATEST DISPATCH REPORTS NO BIG SHIPS. -(Rcc. February 12, 7.35 p.m.) London, February 12. There is bettor news of the submarine war to-day. No further big ships havo been sunk, though a few trawlers have been torpedoed.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FIVE DAYS WITHOUT FOOD. • . . Madrid, February 11. A trawler picked up a boat containing three Englishmen and a negro, who were part of the crow of the torpedoed steamer Dauntless. They were fivo days without food, and wero in a terriblo condition when rescued. The men havo been sent to a hospital. THE FIRST WEEK OF SUPER-FRIGHFULNESS DISAPPOINTING TO GERMAN HOPES. London, February 11. Tho newspapers consider that tho result of tho first week's submarine frightfulness aro disappointing to Germany's proclaimed object of starving Britain. Small vessels coustitute a large portion of the victims. It is impossible to stop Britain's overseas trade unless the submarines' record improves. The torpedoing of vessels is likely soon to decrease, as the Admiralty's anti-submarine tactics have been improved and extended. Tho merchant sorvico is not dismayed, and'sailors from torpedoed vessels are signing on for new voyages._ Admiral Reginald Bacon wrote to a war loan meeting at Greenwich! "Don't worry too much about the submarines. Tho Navy will give them all tho worry thoy want. _ The splendid' pluck of tho merchant seamen will upset flie German calculations at tho end of the war as badly as did the 'Contemptible Little Army' at tho beginning."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AMERICA'S WAR PREPARATIONS BILL FOR UNIVERSAL SERVICE Washington, January 11. The General Staff of tho Army is drafting a Universal Service Bill, providing for the enrolment and drilling of half a million youths of 19 years an-nually.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SUBMARINE BASE AT PANAMA. Washington, February 11. Tho immediate creation of a submarine baso at the Atlantic entrance of the Panama Canal is recommonded by Congress. Tho Secretary of tho Navy (Mr. J. Daniels) has asked for li million dollars for tho purpose.—Router. MB. GERARD AND THE HUNS Amsterdam, February 11. Mr. Gerard formally protested to the German Government against tho catting off of the Embassy telephone ten minutes after asking for his pass-ports.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Acsn.

PREPOSTEROUS PROPOSAL DROPPED.. (Rcc. Fobruary 12, 6.45 p.m.) London, February 11. 'Ill© "Daily Telegraph's' correspondent at Copenhagen states that prior To ttie rupturo of' relations, Germany proposed to Mr. Gerard (United States Embassador) that in caso of war thcro should bo a. rc-ratiiicinToii of tho treaty of 1799, specifying that ships should not bo confiscated, that contracts should be respected', and that tho right to remain in tho two countries during tho war should bo extended to merchants, doctors, and teachers, and that it should provide against tho internment of civilians. Mr. Gerard answered that ho was no longor Ambassador, and! had no authority to sign. Tho Gennau Government accordingly dropped negotia-tions.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. Mr. Gerard has reached Switzerland.—United Service. TRAVEL IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. (Rec. Fobruary 12, 5.5 p.m.) Amsterdam, Fobruary 11... _ A conference is being hold with tho American Ambassador at Vienna, with a view to enabling Americans to travel in the Mediterranean without risk. Germany lias declared her readinoss to compromise on condition that tho principlo of" unrestricted submarine warfare is not affected.-—Tho "Times." GERMAN CHANCELLOR ON THE NEW SITUATION BARGAINED ON AMERICA'S "LET-WELL-ALONE" POLICY Zurich, February 11. Herr von Bethmanu-Holiweg (tho # German Chancellor),- addressing tlio Reichstag on January 31 (tho news having Been previously censored), said that the German Government had carefully weighed all tho possibilities. It was convinced that President Wilson wouldd not break off relations immediately, nor adopt a vigorously hostilo policy'! "Count Bernstorff assured us that the United! States would not abandon neutrality in tho event of unrestricted submarinings, but would only send ono or more Notos, which would result in prolonged negotiations that would probably lead to nothing serious." ■ Regarding tho other neutrals, Herr Hollweg said: "Wo may lie assured that, although they may protest, they can and will do nothing." Tlio Government has decided, aftor receiving the advico of its military and naval oxperts, that it must risk even war with America. The uso of tho submarines was the only hopp for a decisive victory over England.—Router. A" CONFERENCE OF THE PIRATE HEADS, Amsterdam, February 11. It is reported that tho Kaiser has suminonod Herr von Betkmann-Hollweg, Herr Zimmerman, and tho leaders of tho army and navy to confer at headquarters on tho possibility of negotiations with neutrals on tho question of modifying the submarino policy.—Router. PLOTS ON INTERNED SHIPS BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT ACTS. (Rcc. February 12, 5.5 p.m.) Rio de Janiero, February 1.1 The Brazilian Government is investigating reported plots by tho crews concerned to destroy the German vessels in Brazilian ports. All tho harbours aro closed at sunset.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . i HOW THE PIRATES GET OIL SUPPLIES. Amsterdam, Fobruary 11. Tho Dutch newspaper "Tolegraaf" states that German submarines aro not now seen. They receive supplies of oil from floating steel reservoirs sent from Zeebrugge.—The "Timos." CHINA THREATENS A RUPTURE PLAIN ULTIMATUM FROM PEKING. _ Peking, February 11. China has announced that she will breaic off i-olations with Germany if tho submarino campaign is pursued.— Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. HOLLAND'S DEALINGS WITH THE HUNS. The Hague, February 11. A White Book, containing the corrospondenco with Austria and Germany, has been presented! to the Dutch Parliament. Holland strongly protests against submarine ruthlossness. Tho Government considers that the destruction of neutral ships is a violation of international law equally with human law when submarines fail to safeguard life, and Holland will hold tho Cferman Government responsible for tfie destruction of Dutch vossels in the proscribed zone.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. SWISS NOTE TO AMERICA., ___ Berno, (February 11. Tho Federal Coiuicil, In. a Note to America, again emphasises the Swiss ' ttetermniation to defend tho neutrality and_ inviolability of Switzerland, which would bo certain to become a war theatre immediately it departed from neutrality.—Realtor. GREECE CANNOT CONTEMPLATE CONCERTED ACTION. Athens, February 11. Tho Greek reply to President Wilson affirms that Greece itself has drawn the attention of Germany to tho grave consequences of tho submarine policy; ' but in view of the present conditions in Greece, it cannot contemplate concerted action for tho protection of neutral shipping.—Router. BOLIVIA SIDES WITH AMERICA. (Rec. February 12, 5.5 p.m.) Rio da Janiero, February 11. Bolivia has protested to Berlin against the German submarine policy, and assured the United States that she will adhere to President Wilson's pro-gramme.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Uruguay has protested vigorously to Germany and has announced that tho latter will ho held responsible for tho sinking of Uruguayan vossels.— The "Times."