UNDERSEA DRAMA.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1915, Page 10 (Supplement)

UNDERSEA DRAMA.

GERMAN OFFICER'S COMMIT SUICIDE TO AVOID CAPTURE. That the (British Navy has dealt tha German submarine its- death-blow was the statement made by Mr. Chester Thompson, who has just arrived in New York from North Africa, by way of Italy, France and England (writes the San Francisco correspondent of the Auckland Star). • Mr. Thompson is general manager of the potasli mines in Abyssinia, in which the British Government has had a large concession for many years, and is in the United States to purchase pumps and other machinery for operating the mines and producing the substance which is essential to the manufacture of all ammunitioii for the Allies.

"Only the cold and flawless verdict of history will record the full measure of the marvellous achievements wrought by the British Navy," said Mr. Thompson. "Prance is just beginning to realise the wonders performed on the sea by her Ally. For months the 'French were dissatisfied with the part England played on land, but to-day, witli the English land-line lengthening hourly, and Britannia's sea. supremacy asserting itself more positively, France is aglow with enthusiasm over the accomplishments of her powerful partner. For the first time since the war began the Allies are acting in concert with organised efficiency. In fact, co-operation between Italy and France is remarkable. They are lighting its a unit.

"How much of energy, enterprise, ingenuity and persistent daring was required of Great Britain to smash Germany's submarine campaign it will take the world years to appreciate. "The grandeur of the sway of Britain's mercantile marine did not dawn on anyone while Germany was sinking one of every forty-live vessels traversing British waters, which was the highest degree of destructiveness attained by the Teutonic submarines. ' Yet when forty-four or forty-five vessels pass to and fro in safety, what ground is there for saying Britain's commerce lias beeu seriously interrupted? And the percentage of vessels sunk nowadays bv German submarines is even more negligible. 'ln the last seven weeks nineteen German submarines have been captured by the British with the piano wire nets they have woven as a shroud over the grave of the Kaiser's hopes. ."Two weeks ago three submarines were caught in these nets in one night in the River Forth. When they were brought to the surface only one man among the officers and crews was found who had not cut his own throat to escape capture, and he had killed himself with poison.

"It is an inspiring sight to observe the despatch with which vessels are loaded and unloaded at Liverpool, London and Portsmouth. Shipping activity continues at those ports with seemingly utter indifference to the fact that a great war is being waged." i>