On the Sea

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 94, 17 November 1916, Page 5

On the Sea

JHE SUBMARINE MENACE. MONSTROUS HUN PROCEEDINGS THE NAVY HANDICAPPED. Press Association—Copj'nght, Auscra. iian and N.Z. Cable A.ssoeiatiun. London, November l(i. Lord Sydenham asked the Govern.ment for a definite declaration of policy on behalf,of the Allies in regard to the monstrous proceedings of German -submarines. There was an uneasy feeling in the country that the submarine' menace was more serious than the authorities admitted. He would lik.; clip Government to make a declaration that it would exact from the enemy a ton for every ton destroyed. The Government should also give, greater freedom to the Fleet. L-vd Charles Beresford said the Foreign Office had entirely taken over

the naval policy and handicapped the usvy's work. We had abandoned the policy of attack and substituted that of defence. The mercantile marine was in great danger, and food and material supplies were in peril. - The Admiralty Board must be strengthened by the introduction of new blood and younger men fresh from the r.ea. Earl Crewe, President of the Council, said it<*vas useless to say that we would exact this or that by way of reparation unless we were able to impose terms of peace by obtaining a complete victory. The only voice which spoke with authority now was the cannon on the Allied fronts. -The misdeeds of submarines were only a small part part of the German crimes. There was the sinking of the Lusitania, the murder of Nurse Cavell, the murder of Captain Fryatt, and the Belgian and Polish atrocities. Before anything could be done we must obtain complete victory. The Government was making the necessary preparations to arm the mercantile marine. Tiie Admiralty had been singularly successful in the destruction of submarines, but the difficulties in, dealing with them had increased.

ARMED MERCHANTMEN. CERMANY'S DEFENSIVE POLICY. „ ■„■■ ~. ■■:,..". X, \jfjLJ Press Association—Copyright, Alicia * ban and N.Z. Caßle ; Association:l* ,'t ::.',:• (Received 8 ! .35'a,-.m.) k New York, November 16. ..Tlie New York Times' ; Berlin correspondent sends by wireless an account of an interview with the Secretary of State, Herr Zimmermann, who said was not sinking Neutral merchantmen per se but as a defensive measure, the armament of several British merchantmen having been used for attack, therefore armed merchantmen cannot be ccpisid&jjed peaceful trade vessels. Germany was merely seeking to stop contraband shipments to the enemy, and Neutrals have the remedy by discontinuing the carrying of contraband.