ON THE SEA.

Taihape Daily Times, 23 March 1918, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

DUTCH SHIPPING.

SHIPS TAKEN OVER. ■ * Received 8.35., .:* NEW' YORK, March 22. ' Forty-six Dutch ships have been seized here, and many at other ports have been seized. American naval reserves boarded "the ships and hoisted the Stars and Stripes. The ships were taken over quietly, without officers. , GERMANY EXERTING PRESSURE. Received 9.40. PARIS. March 22. A Zurich message states that the semi-official German press announce that Holland will have to bear the consequences of her decision, and must expect a submarine blockade of all her ports. The German Government is exercising the utmost pressure on the Dutch Government.

A NEW CRISIS CAUSED.

LONDON, March 21

It is not clear whether the Dutch Parliament's acceptance of the ultimatum merely referred to the approval of foreign ministers to the statement cabled. The Dutch reply has not yet been received in London, but it is believed the Entente will proceed with the requisitions. The latest Hague messages states that it is understood the Entente have refused the Dutch conditions, thus causing a new crisis.

SOUTH AFRICA'S ATTITUDE.

CAPETOWN, March 21

In the Assembly, the Premeir, in reply to questions, denied that neutral ships refused to coal at South African ports. He knew nothing regarding the seizure of Dutch shipping, beyond what had been published. He sincerely hoped that Holland would be able to of. the war.

BfUfljlSH . SHIPPUHf. a ,smmus SITUATION.

3: The *^W l 2&*M* *W%& Eric Gedde^. the general effect" Is es is much less Reassuring, and increases the gravity and . urgency j of jroblemU JstlfoH says it is doubtful whether,B6hei¥ather %$k stAtenfj^f^lro^'Ont-oMM*Mo-tion's essential efforts* &mMtitiW

•spirit The "Daily News"" 1 says Sir Eric Geddes fife not alleviated piblie anxiety. He has not fulfilled expectation, for the "Government intended to confide in the nation. It is time this great question ceased to be the sport of weak men at cross purposes. The "Daily Express" urges that Lord Pirie be made autocrat of the shipyards, to put him at the wheel and forbid all interference. He knows more about shipbuilding than • any man in the United Kingdom.

NEWSPAPER COMMENTS.

LONDON, March 21.

Newspapers regard Sir Eric Geddes' speech as reassuring rather than disquieting, but complain the omissions, especially regarding the losses of merchant shipping. They demand fuller details.

The "Daily Telegraph" points out ithat the figures do not include ships out of commission for many weeks during repairs. It adds: The losses I must be deducted from half the agI gregate on the register owing to the number of ships engaged in naval and military duties. Therefore last year's depredations, on-the basis of the supply of the civil needs of the population, equalled the net reduction of tonnage—forty per cent. The speech is also criticis*ed on the ground that it was a mere defence of the Admiralty, and did not give a rousing call, to shipyarderLto do their utmost. THE FRENCH VERSION. THREE FLOTILLAS 0UT.....

Received 11.45. LONDON, March 22,

French official: A division ot Franco-British destroyers fought a detachment of German torpedoers in the North Sea at 3.45 in the morning, sinking two. Shortly afterwards the same division fought a second action with five large destroyers which previously bombarded Dunkirk. One German destroyer -was sunk and two others i probably lost. We captured some prisoners. It appears three flotllas were ordered to bombard Dunkirk, Lapana,

GERMAN SEA RAIDERS CAPTURED. Received 10.10. VANCOUVER, March 22. A German commerce raider has been captured in-the Pacific, and a British Warship is towing her into ft Pacific port. p FIGHT OFF DUNKIRK. FOUR GERMAN DESTROYERS ,: ■ . SUNK. LONDON, March 22. The Admiralty reports: Two British and thre French destroyers off Dunkirk, between 4 and 5 o'clock this morning, engaged German destroyers which had previously bombarded the town for ten minutes. Two enemy destroyers and two torpedoers are> believed to have been sunk. The, supvivors of two torpedoers were'picked up, No Allied vessels were sunk; A British destroyer was damaged, but reached harbour. The British casualties were slight. There were no French casualties. \ £'. f * £_ i