ON THE SEA.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 9 August 1917, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

HOSPITAL SHIPS GERMANY PROMISES SAFE. MADRID, August 7. As a result of Spanish representations Germany has agreed to grant safe conduct for hospital ships provided Spanish naval officers are on board, and guarantee that only sick and wounded are carried. MADRID, August 7.

The “Herald” states that Britain and France are accepting the German Government’s agreement for the safe qonduct of hospital ships and thanked ISpajn for her humane intervention. Eleven naval officers are proceeding to the various portp indicated by the Allies.

STANDARDISED SHIPS FIRST READY THIS MONTH LONDON, August 7. In the House of Commons Sir L. Chiozza Money stated that the first standardised ships would be completed this month. Their deadweight capacity was 8000 tons. It was not desirable to give their speed. LOST IN A STORM; SEVEN NORWEGIAN FISHING VESSELS. Received 9.10 a.m. CHRISTIANA, August 8. Seven Norwegian fishing vessels and ninety of the crews were lost in a storm off Greenland. WHERE ARE GERMAN RAIDERS? A SIGNIFICANT REPLY. Received 111.10

LONDON, August 8

In the House of Commons Mr. A. Houston asked whether the Government had any information of the German raider Wulf in the Indian Ocean and ethers that were lately operating in the Atlantic, whereof nothing has recently been heard. Mr Macnamara replied the Admiralty is not without konwledge of the movements or the fate of the vessels, but disclosures might be valuable to the enemy. He especially emphasised the word “fate.” BRITAIN’S FOOD PROBLEM. AMPLE SUPPLIES IN VIEW. LONDON, August 7. In the House of Comons, Mr. R. E. Prothcro, Mnistcr of Agriculture, stated that a million acres had been added to land under corn and potatoes. Assuming that 600,000 acres were devoted to essential grains, and that sufficient tonnage was freed to bring to Britain the entire supply of last year’s American cotton, this meant security of manufacturing materials to the value of thirty million annually and six or seven million for operatives’ wages.