ON THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 September 1915, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

THE TORPEDO TOLL. BIG TALLY FOR AUGUST. _ ' London, September 1. The Board of Trade reports that the Germans during August sank 39 sailing vessels, totalling 2019 tons, and 5G steamships, of 81,490 tons. The lives lost were 1095, of which 1011 were men on the Royal Edward. AN OPTIMISTIC VIEW. HEAVY LOSSES OP GERMAN SUBMARINES. Washington, September 1. • It is understood that Germany is also willing to afford satisfaction ' for the Lusitania. The press believe that Germany has lost so many submarines through the excellence of the .British counter offensive methods that she is now willing to concede the United States' demand as a way out of the dilemma. GREAT DIPLOMATIC VICTORY. CLAIMED BY AMERICAN PRESS. Washington, September 1. The press claims that President Wilson has achieved a great diplomatic victory. The New York Herald says that America cannot barter with Germany by promising aggression towards Britain in order to obtain the reshaping of German policy. President Wilson will not recognise the remotest relation between America's controversy with Germany and America's controversy with Britain. GERMAN NAVAL POLICY. REALLY NO MODIFICATION. London, September 1. The Times' naval correspondent says the report that Germany is about to introduce a modification in submarine warfare is not substantiated. It is probable that the announcement of the intention to suspend warfare on passenger ships is merely an interpretation of Count Bernstorff's remarks intending to imply that submarine commanders have been ordered not to attack merchantmen without warning. There is no evidence to show that this is being done. Diplomats and seamen regard the matter from quite a different point of view. The former hope to achieve their purpose by argument, but fishing men iknow that force alone will bring the war to a satisfactory conclusion. Count Bernstorff's announcements have been made for the purpose of gaining time or influencing neutral opinion. AUSTRIAN SUBMARINE SUNK. BY FRENCH DESTROYER. Paris, September 1. A sailor on the French destroyer Bisson writes: —"We had the good luck at sunrise on August 13 to run across the Austrian submarine US. It took us just five seconds to send her to her fate. The Bisson had a tremendous ovation at an Italian port, and hundreds of bouquets were showered on the commander." MISSES A MINE. ESCAPE OF THE OSTERLEY. Fremantle, September 1. The Osterley has arrived from London. An hour after leaving Tilbury the vessel was ordered to shelter at Margate, owing to German mines in the Channel. She remained all night, and on proceeding in the morning saw a dark object ahead. Patrol boats filed and exploded a mine. It was a great relief to be clear of the Channel.

A DEFINITE PROMISE. TO WARN LINERS BEFORE SINKING. ARABIC'S ASSAILANT NOT RETURNED. Washington, September 1. <■ Count BernstorfF gave Mr. Lansing a written undertaking worded as follows: ■ "Liners will not' lie sunk by our submarines without warning and without safety for non-combatants, provided that the liners do not attempt to escape or offer resistance.'' Count Bernstorff intimated that the policy of Berlin was settled before the Arabic incident. Mr. Lansing makes it clear that the United States will in no case bargain with Germany regarding the British blockade. The German Embassyi admits that a submarine torpedoed the Arabic and failed..to return to her base, Germany undertakes to apologise to the United State# and riguilarly to warn passenger liners In future,