ANOTHER STATEMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 February 1917, Page 1

ANOTHER STATEMENT.

Admiralty Not Dissatisfied. (Australia & N.Z. Cable Association) LONDON, Feb. 13. Lord Curzon said the submarining situation was not so aggravated as some assumed. The British mercantile marine consisted of 3,80() vessels of over 1600 tons each in July, 1914. The total at the end of last January was 3540 vessels of a tonnage of almost 16,000.,000, shewing that the nett loss from all causes in the thirty months of war was only 5 or 6%. 110 stated that Admiral Sir joiin Jelliooe had said that the Admiralty was not dissatisfied with wliat had been done in the past fortnight, or with the numbers of submarines which would never return to Germany. These results gave increased confidence for the future, but it must not be forgotten that the most effective method of meeting tho menace was to destroy the submarine, as neutral shipping was threatened more than ours. The Government is about to pay increased freights and to pay insurances, and offer premiums to neutral crews. We are also purchasing neutral ships where possible. The new construction is proceeding apaco, and the Government is doing its best to secure others built in America and Japan. The Government is now engaged in a scheme for further restricting or prohibiting certain imports. Lord Curzon, concluding, admitted that the danger was real, but there was no cause for panic if the people would keep cool, trust tho Navy, and refrain from pestering them. Wo should believe that the Navy is doing its best, and, if wo do our duty like the Navy, the enemy will be disappointed and we will degeat the greatest menace which ever faced the country since the days of Napoleon. Afric’s Losses. LONDON, Feb. 13. It is believed that five of the Afric a crew were killed. SYDNEY, Feb. 13. The Minister of the Navy states’ that there were Australian troops aboard the Afric, but disembarked sometime before tho sinking. The vessel was on a voyage outward. China’s ActionPEKIN, Feb. 13. China has sent a Note to Germany protesting against her submarine policy. The German Minister is dumb-found-et at learning of China’s decision, and < admitted his inability to communicate with Berlin, and asked the Chinese Gov- : ernmenit to transmit the Note. i There is widespread delight at the . i failure of the German intrigues, which ig intensified since the war.

British Report LONDON, Feb. 13. We penetrated several hundred yards of tho positions eastward of Souchez, and destroyed a trench railhead, four mine-shafts, and many dug-outs. Many of the enemy were killed and we destroyed several dugouts north-east of Neville Stuart, northward of Loos and eastward of Ypres. On the Land. LONDON, Feb. 13. In the House of Commons, the lion. J. Hope stated they were endeavouring to employ all the able-bodied aliens on tho land in the forthcoming season, but compulsion was not applicable to tivjlians.

London’s Vice.

(Ad tralian & N.Z, Cable Association and Reuter).

LONDON, Feb. 13

Sir Henry Craik called attention to the evils caused (to the Army by the increased incentives (to vice in Loudon, and the smallness of the penalties inflicted upon keepers of disorderly houses. Sir George said ho was fully alive to ' these evils, but there were many difficulties which hampered drastic police action. He was introducing a Bill increasing the magistrates’ powers and penalties. The Under world LONDON, Feb. 13. Interviewed regarding soldiers’ perils in London, General Lloyd says thu public houses ought not to be abused so much, as many publicans were playing the game. He regretted that he had no power to deal with street harpies, and would like to see juvenile offenders birched. While our soldiers were dying at the front we were afraid to lift our hands against these criminals who haunt the streets and prey upon men on furlough. Appalling Danners. LONDON, Feb. 13. General Smith-Dorrien declared tnau the men arriving in London at nighttime were confronted with appalling dangers, and if not taken care of, numbers would be lost to the Army, and this loss might become so great as to seriously interfere with the progress of the war.