THE SUBMARINE WAR

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1917, Page 3

THE SUBMARINE WAR

Position Improving (United Service.—Copyright.) London March 8 The Times’ uaval correspondent says : Weekly returns of submarining show that the situation is improving. Arrivals and departures have substantially increased during the thirtyfive weeks of the 1915 campaign, and the average loss of ships from submarines and mines was 5.35 per cent. While it is undeniable that the menace exists serious damage is light in proportion to tonnage. The enemy’s ef' forts to terrorise trade are a failure. Hunting and attacking have shown that forty combats took place in eighteen days which gave the submarines tittle time to harass trade. The return should reassure neutrals and re-establish confidence of shippers-

CATCHING SUBMARINES-

Devices Proving Successful. (United Service—Copyright.) ! London, March 8 The Anti-submarine measures continue to be suooessf-jl. Airships are playing a prominent part in locating submarines and few, cnce located escape. The patrol boats are well informed. The “ Standard ” asserts that numerous submarines have bsen captured. Whether anything went wrong with the supply of ships or ■whether the Huns crews disliked their task, the fact remains that submarines have surrendered. This refers to tho rumour that two submarine crews murdered their officers aud surrendered. New detectors on destroyers are operating successfully and it is only a matter of time for the uew devices to operate with cumulative effect. German Foliiieal Crisis. Rome, March 9 Advices from Berlin state the Amarican affair a-:d the failure of the submarine warfare, has led to a violent agitation eg&insfc Count Hoilweg and his colleagues, and a crisis is regarded as inevitable, The Kiissr has summoned Count von Baelow and Admiral Tiroitz to Headquarter?. Austria's Premier. Rome, March 9 Advice* from Switzerland state Count Ticzi’s fall is imminent. A Freighter’s Story (Received March 10, at 9.40 a,m,)) New York March 9 The freighter Sarnga hi 3 arrived from Havre. Tha captain reports that. a mys.erious craft of the cargo type, with two masta and one fnune), approached the Sarnga on February 20th off tbo Azoca?. It completely circled her and then disappeared. No sigaals were shown. The description is similar to the South Atlantic German raider.

German Officer Arrested New York, M.irch 9 » Captain AlEred Fritz9a, a Gorman officer, was arrested at Las Angelos. He is alleged to be connected with plots to destroy Welland Canal, Canada. It is believed there i 3 a connection between B'ritzen and Consul Bopp, It is established that Fritzaa visited Caba and Mexico recently. PLOTS AGAINST AMERICA. German Undercurrent. Washington, March 9. The Federai Reserve Board stat£« a warning issued in November, was misunderstood. It. now endorses the investments in foreign loans. Thr New York World eays German plotters bought a tract of high lying land opposite the military academy at Weat Point. The Federal authorities are investigating.

A Bemi-officitsl source states a powerful wireless plant in Mexico City has established direct communication with Germany. An investigation is ordered. It is believed efforts wili be made by Germany to persuade General Carranza to involve Guatemala, with a promise that Mexico shall hold Guatemala, in the evbDt of Germany’s success. The plans involved British Honduras.

The Grand Jury are investigating the Von Igol documents.