PIRATE WAR IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 209, 23 May 1918, Page 5

PIRATE WAR IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

ITALIANS MASTERS OF THE SITUATION STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF MARINE London, May 21. . Tho Italian Minister of Marine, in an interview with Mr. Ward Price, stated: "There is good reason to believe wo aro masters of tho submarine situation in tho Mediterranean. Tho Allied Meets have destroyed a great many U-boats, in npito of difficulties which aro irreatv.r thero than in the North Sea. The nmal situation in the Mediterranean nwy be regarded with confidence. The Austrian Navy shows no sign of turning out to find us and wo aro well prepared if it did. There are rumours of Germans inlending to fit Russian veesels for Taids in the Aegean from the Black Sea, 1-ut tho probabilities of their achieving success aro small."-Au3.-N.Z. Cable Assn. DECLINE IN~SIPPING LOSSES APRIL 25 PER CENT. BELOW MARCH (Rec. May 23, 1 a.m.) Washington, May 21. Tho Na'Vy Department has announced that the losses to British and Allied Bhippiug during April from submarines was 25 per cent, less than in March. It is expected that thero will bo a further decrease in May—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. STORY OF A SPANISH DERELICT TOLD BY GUN-SHOTS FROM A . U-BOAT, (Rec; May 23, 0.50 a.m.) Las Palmas, May 22. The Spanish sailer Joaquina has been brought in after having been found drifting as a derelict close to tho African Coast. Thoro were signs of gun-shot damage by a submarine. The fate of the crew is not known—Router. U-BOAT ATROCITIES IN THE ARCTIC FISHING BOATS SUNK AND CREWS ! MURDERED. Christiania, May 21. Nows from northern ports gives particulars of further U-boat atrocities in tho Arctio Ocean. Nearly fifty fishiiis boats havo been sunk or are missing, carrying crows totalling five hundred. In one caso twenty-two men were brought to Vandagubba in a mnilboat carrying passengers nnd mails between Vardoe and Russia. Tho vessel was fired upon.in Vandagubba Harbour, and ton people, including two women, were killed- Tho commander of the submarine declared bis intention of Milking all Norwpgian fishing lxmts because thoir oil catcnes weie deetined for England. This is untrue, as tho export of oil is prohibited A telegram from Hammerfest states that tho sinking of fishing vessels is accompanied by the customary murders of members of the crow after they have taken to tho boats.-Rcutor. .