PROVISION OF SHIPS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 156, 21 March 1918, Page 5

PROVISION OF SHIPS

BRITISH TONNAGE LENT TO FRANCE AND ITALY ANTI-SUBMARINE MEASURES CONVOY SYSTEM MARKEDLY EFFECTIVE London, March 19. The War Cabinet's report on the proceedings of 1917 is contained in a Blue Book of over two hundred pages. It shows that wo lent over, a million tons of shipping to France, and half a million tons to Italy. Referring to anti-submarine measures the report states that there are now 3400 mine-sweepers and auxiliary patrol craft. Tho convoy system hns proved markedly effective. More than 90 per cent, of Atlantic shipping is r.ow convoyed. Our losses of convoyed ships amount to only .58 per cent. The Admiralty believes that between 40 and 50 per cent, of the German submarines operating in home waters in tho war period have been captured or destroyed. Our total net reduction of tonnage in ships of over 1600 tons nmounted t to 2,750,000 tons during the war period up to the end of tho year, equalling 16 per cent, of the total.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. REQUISITION OfIuTCH VESSELS FRESH NOTICE TO THE NETHERLANDS GOVERNMENT. London, March 19. The Government has given fresh nofcico to the Dutch Government that the Allies will immediately proceed with the requisition vf Dutch shipping unless Holland unequivocally accepts the last Allied Note, to which a_reply_ has not yet been received. It is pointed out that an apparent tardy acceptance of the arrangemsnt proposed earlier will no longer meet tho case, as the position has radically changed.— Reuter. CONDITIONS eiToN BY HOLLAND AGREEMENT TO BE DEBATED BY DUTCH PARLIAMENT. The Haguo, March 19. The Foreign Minister has stated that Holland has consented to the Entente's claim to navigate Dutch vessels.in the danger zone. In exchange, the Entente offered a hundred thousanfl tons of wheat by April 15. Holland insisted on the following conditions:— First, Holland must be'allowed to participate in Duteh shipping space. Becend, ooal to be delivered to Duteh ships for that purpose. Third, the Allies to guarantee that Dutch shipping will not bo used in the danger zone lor the conveyance of troops or war materials; that ships must not bo armed ; that the crews be allowed to participate in their navigation; and also that ships destroyed be replaced immediately after tno war. Mr. Molons, leader of the Catholic Party, protested against the Entente Powers' attitude, especially in view of the claim that they would bo the protectors of small natione. The Dutch Parliament debates the agreement on Tuesday.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asau. conditions Unacceptable SEIZURE DELAYED FOR A FEW HOURS. New York, March IV. Tho "Now York Times" Washington correspondent states that the seizure of the Dutch ships was dekyed lor a few hours, but the officials did not believe that Holland would agree to'the demands. They understand that Holland will agree that the Allies may use tho ships provided they are not used for carrying troops and munitions, which is a condition that neither America nor the Allies will accept.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. DENUNCIATION BQAJIONAUST PRESS Cape Town, March 19. The Nationalist Press strongly denounces tho decision to utilise the Dutch shipping in Allied ports as a flagrant breach 1 of neutrality.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. - ' AGREEMENT~WTH SWEDEN 400,000 TONS TO BE TRANSFERRED FOR ALLIES' USE. Stockholm, March 19. The final terms of a Swedish agreement intended to transfer 400,000 tons of Swedish shipping for the Allies' use have bsen Battled.—"The Times."