On the Sea

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 66, 20 March 1915, Page 5

On the Sea

FRANCO-BRITISH REPRISALS, j FRENCH MINISTER’S REPLY TO THE UNITED STATES. Unitkp Press Association. (Received 9.55 a.m.) Paris, March 19. The reply of N. Delcasse (Minister for Foreign Affairs) to the United States respecting tbe Franco-British reprisals, is analogous to Sir Edward Grey’s. It expresses the hope when America , compares Germany’s unAmerica compares Germany’s unspeakable violence and criminal acts, which are unprecedented in naval warfare with the Allies’ respect for the laws of humanity, she will recognise that the Allies have not exceeded the rights of belligerents.

ON AN AUSTRALIAN WARSHIP.

BEFORE THE FALKLANDS. CHASING THE S'CHARNHOST AND CNEISNAU. United Press Association. (Received 9.10 a.m.) Fremantle, March 20. A returned stoker on the Australian warships supplies interesting details of a long chase after the Scharnhorst ano Gneisnau. “Sometimes,” he said, “we would learn from the islands that two huge ships had crept into the harbor for provisions at night and had hurriedly left during the night. Frequently ethergrams came the way of the warship, and in a few minutes there would be throbbing in the engine-room, but always there was nothing at the end of a long chase. Once we caught a wireless from one of the pursued ships, and we asked ‘who are you?’ “The German arrogantly replied: ‘We are alright; you will have to learn German soon.’ “We replied: ‘Perhaps you may have to learn Japanese!’ “The men always slept at the guns while on the sweeping operations on the west coast of America. “A company of Japanese cruisers were responsible for driving the Germans into Admiral Sturdee’s guns.”

MISCELLANEOUS. Basle, March 19. A telegram from Kiel states that the Dreadnoughts are being overhauled and re-manned. Owing to their long rest the boilers are showing signs of rust. They will undergo sea trials and gun trials for a week. Since the outbreak of war the crews have been distributed, and many have been killed and wounded in land lighting. The biggest guns were sent to Belgium. The Germans boast that they can meet the English naval attack. It is freely stated that the Kaiser intends to send the fleet for a fair light in the North Sea. Loudon, March 19. Captain Bell, of the Thordis, which rammed a German submarine, has been appointed a lieutenant in the naval reserve, and has received the Distinguished Service Cross. The Admiralty has given the crew £2OO. The steamer Glenartney, from Bangkok to London, was torpedoed in the Channel, and sank in half an hour. A destroyer landed the crew at Newhaven. An apprentice was drowned. New York, March 19.. Some American authorities regard the presence of a German submarine on the Galway coast as a proof that newer German types have been cruising at a range wide enough -to make a dash across the Atlantic. ' Copenhagen, March 19. Evidence is accumulating that an explosion, on the Karlsruhe sank her on December 18th, off the Grenadines, a chain of small islands in the Windward Group, West Indies. The crew was brought to Germany aboard the steamer Rio Negro, and they kept the secret in order that British cruisers would continue chasing the Karlsruhe. WORK IN DARDANELLES. FORCING THE NARROWS. London, March 19. The Daily Mail’s correspondent says that the most dangerous stage of forcing the Dardanelles is commencing. The fleet must now come within range of the short batteries, and possibly of concealed guns and torpedo tubes, which could be used when the vessels get to the narrow passage.