ON THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 May 1916, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

SUNK BY A SUBMARINE, ! JfATE OF A FRENCH STEAMER. Times and Sydney .Sun Services. • j London, May 25. The Press Bureau issues the follow- j tag aecount of the sinking of the French steamer Bernedettc, which was proceed-1 >ng from Fecamp to the Newfoundland fisheries. ■ She was 90 mi?es off the nearest land when a submarine was sighted flying the German flag, which signalled to the crew to leave. The master ordered them to lower seven boats, and the crew had only just time to get on board when the submarine, from a hundred yards distant, fired the 1 first shot without warning.. The Beraedettc sank immediately. The master approached the submarine and asked for food. The German officer refused, the submarine racing off. The boats lost each other in the'darkness. It is understood that 29 of the crew have been picked up, but five are missing. IN THE AIR. MASTERY OF THE AIR. _%' TACTICS MORE THAN MACHINES' COUNT. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received May 26, 5.5 "p.m. London, May 25. The Times' correspondent states that British headquarters consider that the German air losses are more timn three machines daily on the West front. One hundred and ninety-one machines have actually been destroyed during the last two months. The Fokker is still formidable, 'mt even without the newest type of Allied machine the Fokker would have been robbed of its terrors. Fighting methods are more a matter of tactics than quality of machines employed. We still continue to make more trips to the enemy lines than they accomplish to ours. REGULAR SQUADRONS. A PROPHECY THAT CAME TRUE. Received May 2«, 5.5 p.m. London, May 25. , 'A curious story is told of Lord Kitchener, who, on visiting an English flying ground at the beginning of the war, advised the aviators to learn to fly in regular formation. He was told it was impossible, because the machines could not travel far enough nor stay long enough in the air. Lord Kitchener "You will ■have to do jt before the war is over." His remark has come true. The French reconnaisanee and observation work is now carried out in regular battle formation. Aerial warfare is going through various stages that sea warfare went under. Three months of war development proved the equivalent of a centuty of sea development. IN m THE WEST. THE PARIS CONFERENCE. Received May 26, 8.45 p.m. London, May 23. The Paris Conference has been fixed for June 5. MESSAGE FRfM GENERAL HAIG. Pariß, May 25. ' Sir Douglm Haig, acknowledging General Joffre's greetings'to the oversea forces, said it was their pride and privilege to sl.are the dangers'of the battlefield and to defend Jhe same noble cause of freedom.