SUBMARINE QUESTION

Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1917, Page 3

SUBMARINE QUESTION

Germany’s Aim London, April 22 The concensus of expert opinion is that the comparatively stationary number of weekly sinkings of British merchantmen does not indicate any lack of success in dealing with the submarine menace. On the contrary, it is believed that the Germans are despatching fresh batches of submarines weekly, not waiting for tidings of those sent out previously, many of which will never return. The Germans’ obvious intention was to maintain the campaign at its highest pitch of intensity as long aa was possible. The Observer remarks that the difficulty is not in destroying submarines, bnb in finding and getting them within range of the implements of destruction.

AMERICA’S CONTRACT

OuDined by Mr Balfour

New York, April 22 Hon A. J, Balfour, in an interview, said the people of America must realise that ffmy were in face of a real fight, and he prepared to make the individual facnfiee, whioh would be demanded. The war would be a long tax on the resources and men, and would require all that America oan afford to give of financial assistance, commercial industry and energy. We have come for help to America and tarn to the first page of a new chapter of the history of mankind. America doss not yet realise all ishe will be called upon to do. We Britishers know what it means. Time will bring the war home to you as it did to us. It will bo some time before thi people of America realise what they ere up against. He was unable to expteps an opinion on points of policy until he had conferred with the President and officials. I’ve come in order to-do what 1 can to make co-operation easy and effective between those striving to achieve the hastening of peac9, by the only .possible means, namely, a successful •war, Mr Wilson has proclaimed that the world must be saved by democracy. British demociacy hails this as a happy augury that self-governing communities will not be treated as negligible, because they are small. Tbe ruthless domination of oae unBorupulous Power must cot be allowed* to imperil tbe future of civilisation and tbe liberties of mankind.

MAY DAY PRECAUTIONS Dangerous Elements. (Received April 23, at 12 5 2 p,m.) Berne, April 22 Manifold precautions are being taken in Germany against May Day demonstrations. [Former staffs of Socialist newspapers and leaders of discontented munitioners have been sent to the trenches. RAISING THE LOAN, The German Way, Berne; April 22 Compulsory subscriptions have been inflicted for the German sixth war loaD, Insurance companies were compelled to band over maturing endowment policies for war loan stock. One company thus paid 35 millions in March. Germans po3Bessm;;/'>mon9y abroad are compelled to raise &?d invest it in the war loan. KING CONSTANTINF OF GREECE. Threatens War. Washington, April 22 The New York Times correspondent at Washington has learned that King Constantine has served a semi-ultima-tum on the Enteute. A diplomatic authority states King Constantine has agreed to form a Cabinet acceptable to the Eatente if guarantees are given that the French will not invade Greece and that King Constantine will not be dethroned by Britain or France. The King ia understood to have informed the British Minister that the alternative will be war. More Honors London, April 22 'The freedom of Manchester has been conferred on Boa W. F. Maßsey and Sir W. Borden. Dublin Prohibitions. London, April 22 A proclamation prohibits public ■meetings and processions in Dublin between to-morrow and May 13th. ' X '' "i-

British Progress. Wellington, April 21 The High Commissioner reports Loudon, 22th April, at 4 p.m. : British official—On the north of the Soarpe all the ground gained east of Tampous was secured during the night. Fighting continues in our favour eastward and northeast of Lena. We are again progressing and capturing prisoners and machine guns. Three German counter-attacks on our now positions in this ce ghbourhood were aaccssifully repulsed.