THE NORTH SEA DUEL.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 March 1916, Page 5

THE NORTH SEA DUEL.

SINKING THE GERMAN HAIDER. Received March 28, 12.35 a.nh London, March 27. The Scotsman says the Alcantara, After disabling her adversary, ceased lire and moved closer to assist the sinking vessel. Then a torpedo got the Britisher at close range. The Alcantara's guns shattered the raider's upper works and left her a mere tangle of twisted ironwork amidships. The Greif's wireless operator maintained a "jamb," preventing the Alcantara's signalling, until a shot found tlm wireless room, and British patrols 'responded. Our shots tore up the decks, which were shambles. The Greif gave and took a merciless pounding, but the German gunnery was wretched. The raider's guns were admirably protected, and worked to the end. Rescue ships were just in time to rescue the wounded and drowning. The Alcantara's manoeuvring was hampered by the enemy wrecking the rudder. The British losses are entirely attributable to the explosion of the torpedo. The Greif was about a 9000-ton vessel.

THE ENGLISHMAN. FOUR AMERICANS MISSING. London, March 20. The survivors of the Englishman were landed at Oban. Washington, March 26. Official.—The Englishman's missing include four Americans. THE TUBANTIA. TORPEDO THEORY UPHELD. The Hague, March 20. The result of the official inspection of the metal found in the Tubantia's boat supports the torpedo theory. London, March 20. Commenting on the description of the pieces of metal found on the Tubantia, the Admiralty states that they corres-' pond with the German torpedo and are dissimilar from the English and French. ANOTHER VESSEL SUNK. London, March 20. The steamer Salybia has been suitk. Her crew was saved. SUBMARINE MENACE. DUTCH SHIPPERS AFFECTED. Amsterdam, March 20. Newspapers deplore the uncertainty of the shipping situation, and point out that Dutch shipping cannot exist without free navigation of the North Sea and Channel routes, which are strewn with German mines, They wonder why the Government does not demand a clear declaration of Germany's future attitude towards neutral merchantmen.

Although the Dutch Government is providing an escort preceded by minesweepers, many shipping companies are not talcing risks until reasonable safety is assured.

GERMANY'S MADNESS. CAMPAIGN OF DESTRUCTION. London, March 28. The Daily News Rotterdam correspondent says that Germany lias at least two hundred submarines. She will shortly inform all neutrals that a complete submarine blockade of Britain exists, and warning them that any vessel seen in British waters will be sunk. GERMAN PRESS COMMENT. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, March 20. Tlie German Conservative press thinks that von Tirpitz's retirement means a lessened severity in the work of submarines, and is asking Herr von Betli-mann-Hollweg for a prompt* and plain announcement. iANXIETY IN NORWAY. Copenhagen, March 20. Submarines are causing increased anxiety in Norway, especially in insurance circles. Neutral vessels worth forty million kroner have been torpedoed within a fortnight. ACTION BY DUTCH SAILORS. Timeg and Sydney Sun Services. London, March 2(5. The Dutch Sailors' Union in Rotterdam has decided not to sail, because of the German submarine menace. MERCHANTMEN TO, BE CONVOYED. London, March 26. A Dutch Government vessel, preceded i>y mine-sweepers, will convoy merchantmen between the North Hinder lightship and British territorial waters. A STEAMER SUNK. Received March 27, 9.30 p.m. London, March 27. The steamer Senaybridge has been sunk. The crew were landed.