On the Sea

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 65, 19 March 1915, Page 5

On the Sea

COTTON AS CONTRABAND. FRANCE’S INTERESTS AND GERMANY’S GUNS. UnITKU I'BKBB .AiiBUIJIATIUJN. (Received 8.45 a.in.) Fans, March 18. Lo Matin says that, feu- vViiliam Ramsay xmomeu M. Miileruud (-Minister tor War), that it would he greatly to France’s interest to treat cotton as contraband, ultimately forcing Germany to resort to ordinary gunpowder, which did not suit modern guns. LINER MACEDONIA CAPTURED BY UKIIiSH CRUISER. i (Received 8.45 a.rn.) Loudon, Mariih 18, The Daily Mail’s Madrid correspondent reports that a British cruiser recaptured the Macedonia, which broke away from Las Palmas. SEVERE DISCIPLINE ON BOARD THE KRONPRjN* WILHELM. (Received 8.45 a.m.) London, March 18. A member of the Potato’s crew who was a prisoner for six weeks aboard* the Kronprinz Wilhelm, states that six of the Kronpriuz Welhelm’s crew were shot for disobeying orders. WHAT AN AMERICAN SEA CAPTAIN SAW. GERMANS BUILDING SUBMARINE DAILY. (Received 8.45 a.m.) Washington, March 18. The. captain of an American steamer reports that on entering Bretnerhaven the Germans confined the crew below to prevent observation of the naval preparations, but they saw a flotilla of submarines larger than anything they had ever seen before. They learned that the Germans were turning out one daily.

THE AMERICAN NOTE. SIR EDWARD GREY’S REPLY. London, March 17. The text of America’s identical Note to Britain and Germany has been published. It confirms the suggestions cabled on February 25th. America explains that she has taken the liberty to make suggestions as a sincere friend, with the hope of serving the interests of humanity. Sir Edward Grey, in reply, says that as Germany’s answering Note does not indicate a willingness to abandon submarine attacks on merchantmen or the use of mines on the high seas, it appears unnecessary for Britain to make further reply than to take note of'Germany’s answer. He sympathises with America’s desire to see the war conducted by the rules of international law and the dictates of humanity. Britain thus conducted the war, but on the German side it was different.

Sir Edward Grey quotes the treatment of Belgian civilians, the barbarous treatment of British prisoners en route to Germany, the sinking of merchantmen, and also the sinking of the William Frye and the East Coast raids. He admits that Britain anchored mines on the high seas long after the Germans adopted the practice, but points out that the English mines are harmless if adrift. Ho quotes Bismark on the stoppage of non-combatants’ food, and says that therefore the practice is presumably not repugnant to German morality. Replying, to Mr Page’s inquiry as to how neutrals can avoid dangers under the blockade, Sir Edward Grey explains that Britain aims at minimising inconvenience to neutrals, and refrains from the confiscation of ships and cargoes. Every regard will be shown to the American cotton trade, and Britain also will not interfere with neutrals carrying enemy’s contraband outside European waters.

THE KARLSRUHE’S END. Copenhagen, March 18, it is reported that an explosion sank the Karlsruhe at the end of Bil l on tiro American coast, and that a supply ship saved nearly 200 of the crew. (Received 10.5 a.m.) London, March 18. Danish reports allege that the explosion broke the Karlsruhe in twain, and that the survivors reached Germany, where the men were sworn to secrecy. Valparaiso, March 18. Wounded Germans assert that tiie Dresden’s commander ordered that the magazine be blown up. MISCELLANEOUS. Amsterdam, March 17. Captain Perseus, writing in the Berliner Tageblatt, condemns the absurd reports that the British navy has suffered enormous losses, and says it is a misconception to speak of the substantial weakening of British sea power. Captain Perseus acknowledges the mighty material superiority of the British fleet. ' London, March 18. Ilepter’s Slnis correspondent reports that the German submarine P2B stopped a British steamer to the leeward of the Maas lightship and placed homhs aboard. These failed to sink her, and the submarine was compelled to return and sink the steam-' er. after working for an hour. The crew was landed. Submarines vainly pursued the British steamers Avoce't and Lestris to Dutch waters.

Tlio Fingull sank in ;i low ihihUlos, <ilti*r ;t tremendous explosion. The first bout got flour, but the second, containing the victims, tailed. The boilers burst as she foundered. Times.and Sydney Sun Service. London, March IS, The Navy League considers Britain’s retaliatory proposals satisfactory, sober and moderate, neutrals receiving OVery consideration. The enemy properly receives treatment which, considering their piracy, neither Germany nor her friends have any right to expect. The navy’s pro* gramme is now clear and definite. Warships' dealing with merchantmen are relieved of the legal technicalities hitherto involved in search and examination. EXTENSION OF BLOCKADE URGED BY PARIS. Times and Sydney Sun Service. London, March 18. Paris papers urge that the blockade be extended to Austria and Turkey. THE DRESDEN'S WORK, Times AND Sydney Sun Service. London, ,March 18. As a result of the Dresden’s capture, grain rates on the west coast of North America have dropped. The Peruvian barque Lortou has arrived at Valpariso with the crew of the British barque Conway Castle, the last vessel sunk by the Dresden, on February 27th. Valpariso reports that the Dresden put in at Juan Fernandez, requesting permission to remain for a week for repairs; hut the authorities compelled her to depart, because she was not damaged. London, March IS. In the House of Commons, Mr Macnamara stated htat the hire of nine ships used for the internment of war prisoners amounted to £86.000 monthly.

WORK IN DARDANELLES. ALLIED TROOPS NEAR SMYRNA. Times and Sydney Sun Service. (Received 8.0 a.m.) London, March 18. Berlin says that the Allied troops have landed at various points near Smyrna. MISCELLANEOUS. London, March IS The Daily Mail’s Tenedos correspondent. says the Allies’ operations are now restricted to mine-sweopuig the approaches to Chanak under cover of the warship’s fire. Berlin, March IS. The Frankfurter Zeitung alerts' that the Allied fleets are using Leones as a base, that they have erected a wireless station and two floating docks, and are stablishing a coaling base there. London, March 18. The Admiralty states that 23 were killed and 19 wounded severely and 18 slightly, on the Amethyst. “THE SEA IS FREE.’’ “For the first time in history England can say the sea is free,’ ” declared the First Lord of the Admiralty, in an interview with M. Hughes Leroux, editor of the “Matin.” “In the days when you and we fought each other,” he continued, “our most important victories "never brought us security comparable with that which we enjoy to-day. Even after Trafalgar we knew nothing like it. Supposing Germany has friendships and relationships in South America, how can help reach her from them now? There remains the United States. Public opinion there hesitates, perhaps, in bestowing its sympathies, hut at the present moment it is fully unified. We shall arrange to take precautions fully compatible with the rights of belligerents and the respect due to neutrals. Our adversary, perhaps, can obtain a few supplies from Turkey and Asia, Minor. I cherish no illusions, for as* long as there are neutrals, a complete blockade must he a chimera. Germany will continue to receive a small quantity of that whereof she has considerable, but meanwhile you and we breathe freely, thanks to the sea we have kept and can keep open. Germany is like a man throttled with t heavy gag. You know the effect of such a gag when action is necessary. The effort wears out the heart, and Germany knows it. This pressure shall not be relaxed until she gives in unconditionally, for even if you of France, and if our ally Russia, should decide to withdraw from the struggle, which is "inconceivable, we English would carry on the war to the bitter end. The action of a navy necessarily is slow, but the pressure it exorcises on an adversary is unrelenting. Compare it to the forces of Nature, to the inexorable grip of winter, and r ■- member that it is a stress nothing can resist.”