HOW THE ATHOS SANK

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1917, Page 2

HOW THE ATHOS SANK

Stirring Tales of Heroism (Received March 7, at 9.20 a.m.) Paris, March 6A stirring narrative is publiohed describing the sinking on tbe 17 h of the Athos which was a second Birkenhead. 1 When the torpedo struck the Athos; the Captain gave her ten minute*’; life. The chief engineer, Denzel, whose band'was blown off, went to the engine room instantly to prevent aa explosion. He knew he could never coma up and did not. The Athos carried a thousand Chinese coolies, going as labourers to France under Captain >S 1 ventre and a dozen interpreter officer?. These saved all the coolies, but Silveshe and an interpreter went down. The transport al*o carried three German spies caught iu Indo-Oaina and they were confined i,i separate cells, Sergeant Mmoujaaa. who was responsible, went to the hold and unlooked two celle, the prisoners being saved, While unlocking the third, the Athos sank, and- the spy and Mmoujean were drowned, A battalion of Sengalese infantry under French officers could not ha saved and they sack with the Ssugalese drawn up in lit,., proseating anns, the officers at their head saluting. ; Gaptain Dorise, oorntnauding the transport, went down with the ship but came up and died oa the surface. Two men swam ashore with his dead body. The Czar’s Message Petrograd, March 5 The Ozar has sent a message to his Armies on the south-western front expressing bis profound satisfaction at their steadiness and excellent condition. When the time comes may their supreme effort defiuitely defeat

their adversaries. ' Irish Settlement. (Received March 7, at ,y 55 a.m.) ' London, March 6 The Daily Chronicle states that it is rumoured Government the appointment of a Commission to report on the expediency of an Irish settlement. Government wod’4 refuse Mr O’Connor’s resolution point blank, and won’t accept Sir George Reia’a amendment. It adds that Government has decided to prolong the life of Parliament by half a year after April. . America and Austria. Washington, March 6 After the first reading of the AustroHungarian Note members of the Government incline to interpret it as an effort to placate Washington and Berlin. 3 Mr Wilson's attitude is not yet officially known, but circles usually in his confidence think he will not break unless Austro-Hungary’a submarines commit attacks.