EXIT BERNSTORFF

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 15 February 1917, Page 5

EXIT BERNSTORFF

CV LEFT FOR GERMANY „ ■ ■ ■" »—■ *■— IXPLOSIOHS IN GERMANY AND BIHTAIH SERIOUS LOSS OF LIFE THREAT TO SINK AMERICAN SHIPS SUBMARINE MENAGE Will EE ENDED SHORTLY

7 .JHESICA AND GERMANY. A EENGTHY CABINET MEETING. WASHINGTON, Feb. 13. There is much interest in a lengthy Cabinet meeting following President Wilson working alone in his library late last night and this morning, and not Deceiving callers. One of the questions considered by the Cabinet was the arming of American liners One American line states there will be no sailings until the Government announces arming or convoying. EEENSTORFF’S DEPARTURE.

Ojtf THL WESTERN FRONT. GIVING THE ENEMY NO REST LONDON, Feb 14. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Repeated attacks southward of Serre were unsuccessful. We penetrated several hundred yards of positions eastward of Souchez and destroyed a trench railhead, four mineshafts and many dngouts. Many of the enemy were killed. We destroyed several dngouts northeast of Neuville St Vaast, northward <i Loos and eastward of Ypres. SIR DOUGLAS HAIG SPEAKS. NEW YORK, Feb 14. The papers publish an interview with Sir Douglas Haig by Paris journalists. We have reached the maximum of munitions, and can supply more' than the Allies need. Wc will break the German front severely at several points. The Germans are powerfully entrenched, but we intend to strike with full force until w r e achieve destruction of the German army. This year will show Germany beaten militarily. Peace can only come with oun absolute victory.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14,

Eernstorff, who sails by the ship Frederick VIII to-day, left the capital by special train for New York with a retire of sixty. Extraordinary precautions will be taken to guard the party boarding the ship. In addition to the Embassy party, comprising consular officers, their wives and servants, there are 330 passengers. Eernstorff, in a final talk with pressmen, said he hoped that war would be averted and that friendly relations would soon be restored. It is expected Eernstorff will reach Copenhagen on February 27. * U.S DEFENCE MEASURES.

RUSSIA’S INTERNAL TROUBLES. STRIKERS BANISHED TO FIRING LINE. Received 8.45. LONDON, Feb 14. A Petrograd correspondent, commenting ,on the arrest of leaders of the moderate labour organisations on a charge of revolutionary conspiracy, states the Premier and a majority of the Cabinet favoured workmen’s repre sontations on the Central Munition Board. M. Protopopoff disagreed. A revived talk of revolution sent the police to raid the leaders’ houses, where they allegedly found documents disclosing a secret organisation controlling strikes. He adds that the Russian labour movement has hitherto, not been revolutionary, and strikes have not interfered with the production of munitions, but Protopopoff transferred the strikers wholesale into the firing-line. Protopopoff has 'instituted an intense censorship, and banished the leading writers from Petrograd.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14. ■ The ‘Army and Navy Department has appointed seven committees to develop a programme fo, cue mobilisation of reserves in time of war. It is announced that the navy is to mobilise a mosquito fleet of torpedo boats as submarine chasers in the event of war. A Naval Appropriation Bill for 36S millions was passed. It provides for 42 ships and huge ammunition stores. The Dupont Powder Company in 1916 made eighty-two million dollars profit. GERMANS WANT PEACE. LONDON, Feb 13. The “Daily News” Zurich correspondent says members of Mr. Gerard’s party declare that the German party are “peace crazy/’ and want peace now at almost any price. The rejection of the Kaiser’s peace offer seemed to break their spirit, but the submarine declaration revived their hopes, and everyone now believes that the new sea war will reduce England and cause the Entente to collapse. The people of the large'" cities are hungry, but there is no famine now, nor likely to be in the immediate future. Berliners are pessimistic regarding America, and best-informed circles consider •war inevitable.

THE MEXICAN OILFIELDS

BRITAIN TO PROTECT HER INTERESTS. WASHINGTON, Feb 13. It is reported that Britain is con- . sideriug the landing of troops at Tampico to protect her oil interests, following Carranza’s Note recommending the cutting off of the supplies of the belligerents. Officials are concerned at German influences prompting Carranza’s action. (Tampico is a Mexican seaport on the Panuco, nine miles from the Gulf of Mexico, and 200 miles N.N.E. of Mexico. It has a population of 20,000.) EXIT BSRNSTGRFF. Received 9.5. NEW YORK, Feb. 14. Count Bernstorff, the German Ambassador to America, who has received his passports, has arrived at Hoboken, and boarded the steamer Frederick VIII. He posed for a cinematograph, but declined to be interviewed by the reporters. Stringent precautions arc being taken by the police to prevent any unfortunate incidents. IMPERIAL PREFERENCE. Received 8.45. LONDON, Feb 14. The Post War Trade Committee recommend Imperial Preference. The Times regards acceptance as assured.

GERMANY AND THE! NEUTRAL POWERS. CHINA’S NOTE TO GERMANY. PEKIN, Feb 13. China sent a Note to Germany protesting against the submarine policy. The German Minister was dumbfounded on learning China’s decision. He admitted his inability to communicate with Berlin and asked the Chinese Government to transmit the Note. There is widespread delig-ht at the failure of the German intrigues, which had intensified during the war. U . S . RAILWAYS CONGESTED. NO MORS GOODS FROM INTERIOR ACCEPTED. Received 5.5. NEW YORK, Feb. 14. The railways are announcing that os;ng to the congest;(n .of goods due to American ships not sailing for Europe, not shipments from the interior Hut Atlantic ports will be accepted. ajSCI This will hasten the Government’s action in. either arming or convoying ships.

BRITISH POLITICS DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS MENACE WILL BE ENDED SHORTLY. e Received Feb. 14, o.Z'j p.m. LONDON, Feb. 13. in the Roups of mnhs, nurd Bercsford regretted tluit the Government had not taken the country more into its confidence. He pointed out that during the last seven days 150,000 tons of shipping had been lost. Of this .105,000 were British. We have lost since the outbreak of war oven four million tons. This was not so serious as it looked, as we had replaced about 3,000,000. We would do better in the future, but there was a bad time ahead. Wc were often toiu that the Admiralty had the menace wen in hand, 'that was untrue, but it

is nearer true now than before, because men with actual experience of modern naval warfare had brought their ideas to tue Admiralty. He paid a tribute to seamen, some or whom hud been blown up twice or three times, but nad again signed on. That spirit beat the Germans. He advocated standardised snips of -1000 to 5000 tons, i have faun in tne present Government, ’ ’ said Lord Charles, “but more m me mumiraily. i am certain uuu wiuji.i six weeds or. two mourns tue submarine menace will be well in hand.” Lord Lyttou said the resources of the Navy had net been round wanting in tins supreme crisis. Germany hau an initial advantage in su.jaiurii.uig sni.o and sowing mines but we were not afraid of a olocuade by terror, tie was confident that we would continue in tne future, as m u.o past, m.iy to supply tue armies or lay mines, bar to iceep tne routes open, me Government was accelerating snip building. me labour difficulty had now been overcome. The construction of destroyers had been greatly increased though all the shipyards in the world would not suffice to produce all that is required. X uu arming oi meicnautmcii was progressing. special measures had been taken. to.,aeamWiffi /submarines. The; .ucacyvea L..u boon devised with very considerable success, ’ whether in the destruction of submarines or the escape from attack., ‘ The success was sufficient to justify large" confidence. Success in this iast phrase would depend on howcivilians cu-operaieu with the Navy, it was absolutely essential that the whole available cargo space should be given upto necessities. Lord Devonpert 7 s food standard was far from being adopted by the whole country. From the Navy's point of view it was essential that the regulation's should be strictly observed. It was impossible for the Government to fully ftakc Abo 'country into Jits confidence because that would impart information to the enemy. The Germans should learn by experience at sea, not from speeches, the expedients which arc being employed, besides those which Lord Beresford mentioned.

SPEECH BY LORD CURZON. Lord Curzon'said the submarining situation \\ : ds SiOitrso aggravated as some assumed:' Tim British merchautile marine consisted of 3SOO vessels of over 1000 tons in July, 1914 the total tonnage being 16,850,000 tons.. The total at the end past* of January was 3540 vessels with a tonnage of sixteen millions. Thus the net loss from all causes during thirty months of war was only five or six per cent. He. stated that Admiral Jcllicoc and the Admiralty were not dissatisfied with what had been done during the past fortnight , (; r with the number of submarines which would never return to Germany. The results gave increased confidence for the future, but it must not be forgotten that the most effective method to destroy the menace was to destroy the submarines. Neutral shipping was threatened. more than ours The Government was about to pay increased freights, pay insurances, and offer premiums to neutral crews. It was also purchasing neutral ships where possible. New construction was proceeding apace. The Government was doing its best to meet the submarines. Other vessels wore being built m America and Japan. The Government was now engaged in a scheme tor further restricting or prohibiting certain imports. Lord Curzon concluded by saying: I admit the danger is real, but there is no cause for panic if we keep cool and trust to the navy and refrain fiiein pestering it. Wo should believe the navy is doing its best. H we do our duty like the navy the enemy will ■be disappointed and we will defeat the greatest menace that has faced the country since Napoleon.

GERMAN SUBMARINE CAMPAIGN. THREAT TO SINK AMERICAN SHIPS IF ENCOUNTERED IN PROHIBITED ZONE. Received 8.45, LONDON, Feb 14. It is announced in a German semiofficial message that if the American skips Rochester, Orleans, and St. Louis are encountered in.Lae prohibited zone they wifi be sunk mercilessly.

ON THE SEA. THE AMERICAN STEAMER ST. LOUIS TO BE SPARED. | | Received 8.45. AMSTERDAM, Feb 14. A telegram from Berlin states that notice has been issued that all goods and correspondence handed for transmission by commercial submarines will be returned, and freightage refunded. It is also announced that submarines are ordered to spare the St. Louis, but it is feared the radiogram will not reach all the submarines in time. SINKING OF THE AFRIC. SURVIVORS NEARLY FROZEN. LONDON, Feb 13. Twenty shells were fired at the Africa and several of her engineers wore killed. One boat capsized, but most of the occupants were rescued. The survivors drifted for five hours and were nearly frozen. The submarine commander shouted: “Good-bye. Good luck!” It is believed five of the Afric’s crew were killed. The B'ritish steamer Foreland (19600 tons) was sunk. NO TROOPS ON THE AFRIC. SYDNEY, Feb 14. The Minister of the Navy states that

the Australian troops who were aboard the Afric were disembarked some time before the sinking. The vessel was on her voyage outward.

The survivors of the Saxonian, numbering thirty-six, have landed. The ship was shelled and sunk on Wednesday. The captain taken prisoner, and the - boatswain died of wounds, and four of the crew were injured, including an American. One party were in an open boat for 69 hours and suffered terribly. SOLDIERS ’' GRAVE PERILS. WARNING BY BRITISH GENERAL. LONDON, Feb 13.' Sir' H. Craik called attention to the evils caused in the Army by increased incentives to vice in Loudon and the smallness of the penalties inflicted on keepers of disorderly houses. The Home Secretary (Sir George Cave) said he was fully alive to the evils, but many difficulties hampered drastic police action. He was introducing a Bill increasing magistrates’ powers and penalties. Interview regarding soldiers’ perils in London, General Lloyd says public houses ought not to be abused so much. Many publicans are playing the game. He regretted he had not power to deal with street harpies. He would like to see juvenile offenders birched. While soldiers were dying at the front we -were afraid to lift our hands against criminals who haunt the streets and prey on men on furlough. General Smith-Dorrien declared that men arriving in Louden at night time were confronted with appalling dangers if they were not taken care of. | The numbers lost to the Army might become so great as to seriously interfere with the progress of the war.

MUNITIONS EXPLOSIONS ONE IN YORKSHIRE LONDON,, Feb. 13. The Press Bureau states that an explosion, preceded by a fire, occurred in a munition factory in Yorkshire this morning. It is believed that all the employees escaped. Some damage was done in the neighbourhood,, and possibly there arc some casualties yet unknown. GERMAN FACTORIES BLOWN UP. BIG DEATH ROLL. COPENHAGEN, Feb, 13. The ‘‘Hamburger Nachrichteu ’ ’ announces that a terrible explosion near Hamburg destroyed two large ammunition factories. Sixty-three persons were killed and about the same number injured. INCIDENTS OF THE WAR. MAKING USE OF ALIENS. LONDON, Feb 13. In the House of Commons, it was stated that an endeavour was being made to employ all able-bodied interned aliens on the land during the forthcoming season, but compulsion was not applicable to civilians.