CONTROL Of SHIPPING.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1917, Page 4

CONTROL Of SHIPPING.

Steamers Will Carry Guns Foro and lAft. New York, Feb 5 The New York Times sayr.— “Ic is understood that under the Dew Lloyd George plan for controlling British shipping, the White Star and Cunard liners will operate between Liverpool and Halifax, instead of coming to New York, and will be armed with 6-mch guns fore and aft. In addition to the protection afforded by the guns, there will be fast cruisers in certain positions whioh will be known by the commanders of the liners, who will be provided with special signals to enable them to call for assistance if they are attacked. “ The cargoes v/ill be taken from New York to Boston in small steamers to Halifax, where the freight will be transferred on board the big steamships waiting to convey them to Liverpool or London. Travellers will travel by train. The expense of transhipping the freight and convojisg it to Halifax will be very heevy, but it will have to be done in order to make certain the Government will get provisions for the people of Great Britain> and for the British forces in France and Flanders.” In “Land and Water” Mr Arthur Pollen, writing on the arming of merchantmen, says : “No gun smaller than a 12-pounder, and, in the majority of cases, nothing less than a 4in. or 6in. will be equal to engaging a submarine whose artillery can knock a merohantship to smithereens at 4000, 5000, or 6000 yards. Three and 6-pounders are useless beyond a few hundred yards, and 12-poundeis beyond a range of 2500, If ships are to be adequately defended they mast bave guns fore and aft and be available for both broadsides. A gun on either side of the fo’caßtle aod one astern—with an all round fire except for'ard—is the minimum armament that can meet the case. Four thousand ships, that is, would require 12,000 guns, and crews of at least 72,000 to mantbbm.”