PIRATE RAIDS ON FOOD SHIPS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3083, 14 May 1917, Page 5

PIRATE RAIDS ON FOOD SHIPS

THE SITUATION GRIPPED VEILED HINTS IN THE PRESS (Rec. May 13, 5.5 p.m.) London, May 12. Both French and English newspapers publish veiled announcements to the effect that the Allies during the past week have got a grip of the submarine situation, and can face the future without ' unduo apprehension.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.' THE FRENCH LOSSES Paris, May 11. For the week ending May 6 the ar« rivals of merchantmen totalled 940, i and departures 930. One vessel over 1600 tons was sunk, and seven under 1600 tons. Six merchantmen were unsuccessfully attacked, and five fishing boats were sunk. Vice-Admiral Bienaime states that 1,151,795 tons of Allied shipping were sunk in the first quarter of 1917. The losses in April totalled 700,000 tons. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BAD THREE WEEKS FOR AUSTRIAN PIRATES i FOIJRTEENIjuNK BY THE ITALIANS. Washington, May H. The Italian navy, in three "weeks*' operations in the Mediterranean, sunk' thirteen Austrian submarines. STATE CONTROTOF LLOYD'S London, May 11. Owing to the high insuranco rat«s charged for ordinary sea risks, it is rumoured that the Government is arranging to take over the greater part of Lloyd's business.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. HORSES RATIONED IN BRITAIN WITH NECESSARY EXCEPTIONS; (Rec. May 13, 5.5 p.m.) London, May 12. The Press Bureau states Lord Dev^ onport (tho Food Controller) has imposed rations on cereal foodstuffs for horses, except animals used by the Army Council, the Admiralty, or for agricultural purposes, stallions in stud, thoroughbred blood mares, and others in foal and with foal at . foot. —Aus.j N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. THE CUT-AND-RUN DESTROYER FIGHT Amsterdam, May 11. The "Telegraaf" states that the German destroyers engaged fin Thursday left Zeebrugge on Wednesday evening. The British vessels hit a submarine in addition to the destrofwa.^-ATis.-N.Z. Cable Assn. DISAPPOINTED BRITISH BLUE- ' JACKETS. • London, May 11'The "Daily Chronicle's" correspond- 1 * ent at an East Coast port says:—"Tho men of Commodore Tyrwhitt's flotilla were disappointed. A single shot from a British gun made the Germans bolt home. Though the firing was done a# long range, they were convinced that they registered many hits on the enemy vessels. Some of the gunners declare that four of the enemy's ships were so badly Bit as to be of little use for some time." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE GERMAN'ACCOUNT. (Reo. May 13, 11.10 p.m.) London, May 12. A German naval official communique states: —"German light forces on May 10 sighteH at 5.40 a.m., eastward of the Noordhinder lightship,- three small modern English cruisers and four destroyers. An engagement developed in the direction of tho Flemish coast and was continued to the Thornton Bank, -where the enemy held back from our artillery. Our firo caused an explosion in one of the enemy's destroyers, which sank. We advanced on tho enemy, who steamed at full speed towards the distant cruisers, disajv, pearing northwards. . We suffered neither damage nor losses." The British Admiralty, asserts that tho facts published on Say 10 are not altered bv this German attempt at dis- . tortion.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reu-ter. STIRRING UP THE WASPS' NEST (Reo. STav 13, 11.10 p.m.) Amsterdam, May 12.' There was an extensive aerial bomi bardment at Zeebrugge at three o'clock lon Saturday morning. Subsequently there was a heavy naval bombardment, lasting for'ninety minutes. Terrifio explosions shook tho surrounding coun-try.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. , DASHING RAIDS BY ITALIAN DESTROYERS Rome, May 11. Italian'destroyers penetrated Durazzo for the fourth time this year, and sank ' four loaded transports. The destroy- • ers returned unscatched. —Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.