ON THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 January 1916, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

LAYIWC DOWN THE LAW. AMIiKICA.N JsOTK TO THE KAVHIS. Received Jan. 30, 5.5 p.m. Washington, Jan. 20. Mr. Lansing,'in a .Vote to the belligerents, notifies the Powers that unless Ibey subscribe to the following principles armed merchantmen may he denied entry to American ports, except on the conditions applying to warships: First: Belligerent merchantmen have the right to rely upon the rules of international law and humanity. Secondly: A merchantman of any nationality is not subject to attack without warning. Thirdly: A belligerent merchantman should promptly obey an order to atop. Fourthly: A merchantman should not be.fired on unless it tries to resist, and oven then attack should cease directly (light or resistance ceases. - Fifthly: Sinking is justified only if it is found impossible to supply a pri/.e crew, and in that case the passengers and crew must he removed to safety. Mr. Lansing adds that in view of the extensive use of submarines, which armed merchantmen are able to attack, there is grave doubt if it is legal for merchantmen to carry armament. Therefore he asks the Powers to make the above declaration on the condition that their enemies make similar declarations. ANOTHER LINER LOST. London, January 2S. The West; African liner Appam, with 100 passengers, is believed to have been lost, A battered lifeboat has been picked up at Madeira. THE GOEBEN. LOSES MANY OF TIER CREW. Received Jan. 30, 5.5 p.m. Petrograd, Jan. 28. The fioeben, in the engagement with Russian torpedoers in the Black Sea on January 10, lost 33 men killed and 80 wounded.