WAR NOTES

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 1 September 1917, Page 6

WAR NOTES

STANDARDISED SHIPS. ''* FIRST SHIP HANDED OVER. LONDON, August 29. The "Daily Telegraph" states that shipbuilders hkve handed over to the Government, after satisfactory tests, the first standardised ship. It is of 8000 tons dead weight capacity and was finished in five months. It is a good type of cargo carrier and was constructed in the quickest time and with the minimum amount of material. Every large shipbuilder is constructing standardised ships of 8500 tons and 3000 tons. The hulls, machinery and engines are standardised. The vessels are equipped with fast loading and discharging gear. Some are specially designed for carrying grain. The crew's quarters are aft and are steam-heated and provided with bathrooms. GERMAN ADMIRAL'S DREAMS, AMSTERDAM, Aug. 30. Admiral Von Grapon says: Coaling stations and marine bases must also be secured. Possessioas in the South Seas must not only be restored, but several other groups must be secured in view' of future entanglements with Japan and the United States. Some permanent fleets of fast cruisers must be based in the South Seas as a headquarters for the fleet, protected by powerful fortifications. . , THE SUBMARINE. WONDERFUL ANTI-GRENADE. The "grenade" referred to by the United States Navy Department as laving been employed by American destroyers against the submarines which attacked the transports on their way to France, is regarded as one of the most important weapons of offence against undersea craft that has been deevloped since the war began. It is an American device, which it is confidently expected will sweep the U-boats from the seas. This marine grenade is a type.of mine. It operates on a reverse principle from that which has been employed since the submarine warfare began, and with which the Germans sowed the North Sea and the Atlantic approaches to England. The German mine, which is also familiar to other countries, is an anchored affair. It is dropped overboard in varying depths of water, but always with the idea that it is to be set at a certain depth below the surface, say 15 feet. When dropped overboard, this mine first sinks to the bottom. Upon touching bottom a spring releases a cord, and the mine begins to rise. It xises until the water pressure at a certain distance below the surface brings the mine to a halt.,, There it remains anchored, to be exploded by.contact. It is, of course, a constant menace to navigation.

The grenade consists of a small mine containing a high explosive mine is set for explosion at a given depth. This may readily be altered to suit the conditions. The charge will crush the steel plating of a submarine, even though it explodes at a distance of fifty feet from the vessel itself. Its efficacy in this respect is based upon the well-know- incompressibility of water. A heavy charge of dynamite exploded under water will do terrific damage within considerable radius. The grenade operates on the same principle. It is not necessary to touch a submarine with it; it is only necessary to have.it explode near at hand. Concerning the products of Yankee genius during the war, the United States Government has devised a liberal but drastic plan for safe-guarding secrets of new weapons to be used in the war against Kaiserism. That become known in Pittsburg when the Westinghouse interests began to examine men for employment of war will be manufactured. Each of the 1000 men to be accepted for this work must be a highlyskilled mechanic, willing to undergo internment of- ten months. Only Americans of unquestionable loyalty will b* accepted.

A NEW ATROCITY. SPECIAL WEAPONS TO KILL THE WOUNDED. The recent advance of the Italians enabled them to collect evidence convicting the Austrian army of atrocities ■which are not Behind those practised "by the Germans. The kultur which produced gas and liquid fire has apparently spread to the Austrian high command, which has been supplying its soldiers with a particularly ghastly instrument for the murder of wounded Italians. Photographs of the Austrian murder weapon have been made by Italian . officers, and show that'considerable ingenuity has been spent in making these ; instruments as effective as possible. In .general the "sticker" consists of a heavy stiek, much like a policeman's mace, with a very sharp prong of steel inserted at the end. The end which

holds the prong Is fortified wjith steel plating or studded with sharp iron prongs. The other end of the mace is shaped for a firm grasp, and has a small rope for slipping over the wrist.

Italian soldiers have been found dead with wounds which could not have been produced by bullets or bayonet; they have been killed, after they had been wounded by a rifle bullet. Until the mace was actually discovered the Italian army was unable to prove how the beastly work was done. Now the proof is given to the world.