ON THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 March 1916, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

LOSS OF THE TUBANTIA. THE VESSEL TORPEDOED. The Hague, March 17. The Tnbantia's first and fourth offiand look-out man have sworn affidavits that the ship was torpedoed. They clearly saw the wake of the torpedo. Schilling, the American Consul at Stnttgard, a passenger, says the steamer was mined. . AN OFFICIAL REPORT. London, March 17. Official.—The Tubantia was torpedoed. Latest reports state that several lives «r« believed to have been lost. A DELIBERATE DEED. 1 . America taking action*. < (Received March 19, 8.15 p.m. Amsterdam, March 18. The ship's officers state that searchlights were directed on the Tubantia twice after the explosion. Washington, March IS. The State Department has instructed American Consuls in Europe to investigate the sinking of the Tubantia, and also the attempt to torpedo the Patria. HOLLAND UNEASY. UNITY AMONG NEUTRALS URGED. Received March 19, 5.5 p.m. Amsterdam, March 18, Mr. Schilling arrived c!lad in pyjamas and an overcoat. He believes that th 6 disaster was due to a miiie, because it is impossible to see why the Germans should torpedo a Dutch ship. The Dutch people are taking a serious view of the Tubantia outrage. Newspapers appeal for unity among neutrals to prevent torpedoings, and urge that it is the duty of the Government to support the American efforts to bring Germany to a better conception of her duties towards neutrals. It is anticipated that the Tuliantia incident, with Americans aboard, will affect Ameirea's relations with Germany. INDIGNATION IN HOLLAND. Rotterdam, March 17. Dutch newspapers and the public are indignant at the loss of the Tubantia and insist that no credit will be due to the Germans if no lives were lost. There was no reason to expect floating mines In that area of the North Sea and if a submarine laid a mine it must liave been with the deliberate purpose of sinking the Tubantia. Her hour of sailing and route were well known. The general belief is that the disaster was due to a torpedo, which the lookout affirms he saw. i A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE. J THE PATKIA'S EXPERIENCE. New York, March 17. There were 2000 persons on board the Patria, including Mr. Olney, American Consul at Florence, twenty other Americans and 3000 women. Captain Dechelles and an American saw the periscope at a distance of 130 yards and almost simultaneously the discharge of a torpedo. The ship was saved by going at full speed. SENILE VON TIRPITZ. AMERICAN AND ITALIAN OPINION. HIS POLICY OF FRIGHTFULNESS. Reeciced March 19, 5.5 p,m. London, March 18. Th# Morning Post's Washington correspondent says that in oflicia] circles it is considered that Admiral von Tirpita was willing to risk war with the United States rather than abate the policy of "frightfulness. Herr von Bethmann Hollweg and Count Bernstorff, who constantly impressed the Kaiser to follow an antagonistic policy towards America, forced von Tirpitz's resignation.

The Daily Telegraph's correspondent at Rome says that the resignation of Admiral von Tirpitz is attributed to the fact that the Admiral became mad when he advocated his scheme of sinking every ship on the high seas., whether belligerent or neutral.

German newspapers carefully avoid discussing the reason, though it is evidently known in well-informed circle*, ANOTHER JUGGLER. VON TIRPITZ'S SUCCESSOR. London, March 17. Admiral von C'apelle is aged 00, and has not been at sea since he was a captain. He was many years in England. Under Admiral von Tirptiz his main business was to juggle with the navy estimates and manage the Reichstag. ' GERMAN LINERS. REQUISITIONED BY ITALY, """'* ''* London, March 17. Sir E. Grey announced that Italy had requisitioned 30 German liners, with a tonnage of 142,000 tons. ANOTHER SINKING, j Received March 19, 5.5 p.m. London, March IS. The steamer Palembang, from Rotterdam to .lava via London, was torpedoed near the Galloper light, The crew were saved, '., - \ ;a quick escaph, ;» .' Reecived March 20, 12.55 a.m. London, March 19. The Palembang was torpedoed in the forenoon. Some of the crew Bays that there were three torpedoes. Nine men were injured by the explosion. The perfect discipline enabled t all to escape in the bouts in Ins than m,lnut«»