Maritime Activities

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 220, 24 February 1915, Page 5

Maritime Activities

TO CONSTANTINOPLE. IMPORTANT ,STRATEGIC OPERATIONS. DARDANELLES MUST BE OPENED. London, February 22. The Times, in a leader on the Dardanelles bombardment, says it appears to mark the beginning of sejious operations. Immeasurable advantages woud flow from -the opening of a clear way to Odessa, and political results equally great. A wedge wuold be driven in the enemy's fighting line and the effect oil the hesitancy of the Balkan kingdoms and other neutrals would be instant. The fall of Constantinople would probably mean the collapse of the Turkish offensive. BRITAIN CONSIDERING REPRISALS. A NOTE TO BE ISSUED. SINKING A SUBMARINE. London, February 22. Mr Asquith, in the House of Commons, said the Government was consideriivj what reprisals should be made against Germany for attacking merchantmen. Britain would certainly issue a Note, and lie hoped to make it a joint Note. Baltimore reports that the captain of the steamer Ovordalc claims priority in cj»ii".ect:on with the reward offered for the first British captain to sink a German submarine. He says that on New Year's Day off the English coast, during a snowstorm, the Overdale crashed down on and sunk a partially submerged submarine. Hie impact smashed two of the Overdale's propellor blades and caused a leak. Tlie repairs occupied three weeks.

THE SINKING OF A NORWEGIAN VESSEL. London, February 22. The captain of tire steamer Bellridge declares that there was no possibility of doubt as to the vessel's nationality. She was flying the Norwegian flag, wli' h was illuminated by an electric light. MAKING FRESH ENEMIES. NORWAY DEMANDS COMPENSATION Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received 23, 5.20 p.m. London, February 23. Christiana is exasperated at the destruction of the Norwegian steamer Bellridge. Unless Germany declares that, it was a mistake, and gives compensation, Norway will claim damages from German shipping in her harbors. * AUSTRIAN SUBMARINE READY. TO ATTACK MERCHANTMEN. London, February 22. Geneva advices state that the Innsbruck, an Austrian submarine, is awaiting orders to attack merchantmen in the Adriatic.

THE SUBMARINE BLOCKADE. "THEY NEVER RETURNED." GERMAN SUBMARINES MISSING. Received 23, 10.30 p.m. Amsterdam, February 22. Uneasiness is felt at Cuxhaven for two large submarines which are missing. WARNING TO SPAIN. GENERALLY DISREGARDED. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received 23, 5.20 p.m. London, February 23. Tlie German Consul at Cadiz has warned shipping companies of the necessity for keeping vessels in port on account of the blockade. German-owned companies have ordered their vessels to return immediately. The Government is attaching little importance to the warning, and merely recommends masters to immediately comply with the demands tor proofs of nationality.

ALLIES UNDISMAYED. FRENCH MINISTER'S DECLARATION. KAISER'S FLEET WILL PAY DEARLY. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received 2:!. 5,20 p.m. , r , London, February 23. M. Agagneur, French Minister of Marine, states that neither France nor England can be frightened by the threats or the acts of submarines, which will only strengthn our resolution to tighten the network of surveillance with a viev to stopping Grniunvs fond supplies Vii necessary measures will be taken to nullify or reduce to a minimum the consequences of th,. war. More than one submarine will never return to Ger. many. \v,, tl) „,. lkl , (|l| , Kais(>r , s fleet pay dearly for the loss of a new trading vessels.

AMERICA AND NEUTRAL FLAGS AX JYTEKKNTINfJ FACT. Times and Sydney Sun Services Received 22.' . r i.2o p.m. London. February 23. iHe limes' correspondent writes tlii't Sir l-.dward Crey n. .-,1 not (.note the American Civil Wlll , f ,„ t ,„. T - |lit( . (l ..lates vessels wer,. using (he British hag during the Spanish-American war •ii Aiii.nca.. boat, sailed from Lowes under the Union Jack, and the com-V-'f' l J," stlfi< '' l 'lis action by saving i.it: n„. a ~ j ; t born fool. '