GRAVE SITUATION PRECIPITATED

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 124, 12 February 1918, Page 7

GRAVE SITUATION PRECIPITATED

BETWEEN SPAIN AND THE PIRATES BIG STEAMER SUNK IN SPANISH WATERS London, February 10. German newspapers regard the torpedoing of the Italian steamer Luca di • benova (7893 tons) in Spanish waters as creating a grave situation. The Minister of Marine is investigating the circumstances. It is officially announced that the Spanish steamer Sebastian (2563 tons), with a cargo of salt, has been torpedoed off the Canary Island. The commander of the submarine declared that salt is contraband of war.—Aus.N.Z. Cablo Assn.. AN lINSINKABLE LINER THEORY OF AIRTIGHT CELLS. New York, February 10. Mr. W. L. Saunders, chairman of the Naval Consulting Board, stated in a speech that the United States had converted the Austrian liner Lucia, into a transport, and had equipped her with 12,000 airtight cells fitted in the Ml. ' Sho was believed to be practically unsinkable. Washington officials state that the .Lucia is not yet regarded as a complete success.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable J Assn. ' ■ LOSS OF NEW GERMAN BATTLECRUISER BRITISH SUBMARINE'S EXPLOIT. London, February 10. Mr. Gerald Fiennes, writing in the "Observer," recounts that a British submarine followed an armsd German , trawler through the nets defending a Gorman port, and saw. a new battlcj cruiser at a quay. The submarine did not return, but the festivities arranged for the trials of the cruiser were put off, as the big warship did not loturn ■ either. The "Observer" connects the story with tho fact that the new battlecruiser Graf von Spee was launched some months ago, and that nothing has been heard of her since, though rumours of her destruction have spread in Germany and England.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE BOYCOTT PLEDGE AT SEA NO SALUTE TO THE GERMAN FLAG. .. . (Rec, February 11, 3 p.m.) London, February 10. The officials of the Seamen's Union state that the British merchant service, from officers down to cabin boys, are pledged not to salute the German flag after the 'war.—Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MEN FOrIhE YARDS 20,000 RELEASED FROM THE ARMY. (Rec. February 11, 8 p.m.) London, February 10. The Army authorities are releasing twenty thousand skilled men for the shipbuilding yards.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. i ,