FIGHTING THE PIRATES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3095, 28 May 1917, Page 5

FIGHTING THE PIRATES

BEST THREE WEEKS'' WORK OF THE WAR

WELCOME ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR. LLOYD GEORGE

EFFECTIVE BLOWS STRUCK

(Rec. -May !!7, 5.5 p.m.)

London, May ZG. In the House of Commons Mr. LloyJ: George- said that more effective blows had been delivered against the submarines in the past three weeks than in any previous corresponding period during the war. They were making substantial progress against the submarine menace, and there had been a considerable reduction in the shipping losses. "We owe our best gratitude to America for the effectual assistance which has been rendered.by the craft she has placed at our disposal. After taking counsel with my advisers, and going into the figures carefully, I can say that if the nation economises, and all behave liko reasonable human beings who want to save their country from disaster and privations—l discuss the submarine menace not because of any fear that the war is going to be lost for that reason—l say, with a full sense of responsibility, on behalf of the Govern- • ment, that after most careful consideration of the whole facts, if everyone doss his duty, the German hope for a triumph in the war based- on their submarines is the greatest miscalculation in a whole series of miscalculations by that fated Empire."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. FALL IN WAR RISKS AT SEA. (Rec. May 27, 5.5 p.m.) New York, May 26. ; The war risk insurance on merchantmen bound for Great Britain has been reduced 331-3 per cent, as the outcome of favourable reporte from the submarine zone. In some instances a reduction of 50 per cent, has been given utx>n the London ■ market.—Aus.-JT.Z. C'a »le Assn. ( SINKING OF TiffiTRANSYLVANLN STORY OP THE DISASTER . THE SPIRIT OF THE BIRKENHEAD London, May 25. : The survivors of the transport Transylvania relate that the vessel was torpedoed at 10 o'clock in the morning. There was a terrific explosion, which killed many in the engine-room and bun- - kers. The troops were paraded on deck, and behaved splendidly, and remained on parade in serried lines. The nurses acted heroically. While being lowered into the boats one called "Give us a song, boys," and the soldiers responded with "Tipperary" and "Take Me Back to Blighty." - Destroyers Taced to the rescue. While the 1 rescue was proceeding, a second tor- . pddo struck a boatload which had just been lowered, and blow it skyhigh. lne Transylvania began to list, and many lumped into the sea and dragged into boats. The boats were all half full of water, and it was impossible to row them ashore owing to the heavy sea. Every available inch on the destroyers was crowded with survivors. Help from the shore came at 4 o'clock. . . The Transvlania sank in fifty minutes. One hundred and fifty soldiers, whom it was impossible to rescue, stood at attention on the deck as the vessel sank beneath them. Captain Brenel* renamed till the decks were awash, and dived into the sea. He was rescued, but died later.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. • THE WEEK'SIosI" IN FRENCH SHIPPING BIG DROP IN NUMBER TORPEDOED. Paris, May 25. Official —The number of vessels which arrived at French ports during the past weekwas 991, and 1016 sailed One ves-. sel over and two below 1600 tons were sunk and three were unsucessfully at-tacted.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.