IN THE AIR.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 11 July 1917, Page 5

IN THE AIR.

LONDON’S AERIAL DEFENCES. | LAMENTABLY DEFICIENT. LONDON, July 9. The newspapers are hotly debating the means of countering the air raids on London. All agree that the defences are lamentably wanting, while many, demand activfe reprisals. The Rev. Bernard Snell, chairman of the Congregation Union, preaching at Brixtoh, advocated reprisals. The ‘‘Daily Chronicle” in urging caution, says that an objection to reprisals, which is not open to argument, is geographical. No German tOAvns of the first or second rank are open to Brk tish aeroplane attack, but enemy aeroplanes cannot be permitted to hover over London, picking up targets. Th« defences must be strengthened, even at the deplorable cost of limiting Sir Douglas Haig’s resources. N

LATEST CASUALTY LIST. jp"' Received 8.35. LONDON, July 10. The Press Bureau states the casualties of Saturday’s air raid are now 38 men, eight women, and five children killed; 98 men, 48 Avomen, and 53 children injured. e STATEMENT IN THE COMMONS. LONDON, July 9. Mr. Bonar Luav, speaking regarding air raids, said it was impossible to publicly give information enabling the House to understand the situation. He hoped Mr. Lloyd George Avould make a statemehnt at the secret sitting. RAIDING GERMAN TOWNS. INTENSE ANXIETY AMONG INHABITANTS. Received 11.50. AMSTERDAM, July 10. Warnings of a great air raid have been sent broadcast in Germany. Lights were extinguished in all factories, the workers fleeing to the cellars. There is intense anxiety among the civilians in the bombed towns wlfo are fearing further raids.

GERMAN CLAIM. AMSTERDAM, July 9. semi-official message from Berlin states that Saturday’s raid was first directed’ at storehouses and factories. It alleges that bombs were dropped on the docks and the northern bank of the Thames, also that Charing Cross station was hit several times. ON THE SEA. : FRENCH LINER SUNK. 61 LIVES LOST. Received 11.50. LONDON, July 10. The Messageries Maritime Co’s steamer Caledonian was sunk on June 30th, either by a mine or a torpedo, in the Eastern Mediterranean. There were 431 aboard, of whom 370 were saved. TRAWLER DESTROYS SEAPLANES LONDON, July 10, The High Commissioner cables that the commander at Lowestoft reports that an armed trawler yesterday evening destroyed two enemy jseaplanes, taking four prisoners.