EXTENSION OF MINES URGED.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 October 1916, Page 5

EXTENSION OF MINES URGED.

TO OLOSE EGRESS FROM ZEEBRUGGE AND OSTEND. STRONG COAST DEFENCES, GERMANY'S NEW DESTROYERS. Received October 20, 5.5 p.m. London October 28. The newspapers suggest the necessity for extending the use of mines, In order to close the egress from Zeebrugge and Osteud. Zeelirugge is now a station for many torpedo boats, destroyers, and trawlers, also a number of submarines, together with wooden dummies intended to mislead enemy airmen when bombarding the port. The coast is defended by interminable rows of 11-inch naval guns, which are buried in the dunes. Behind the dunes are heavy howitzers in a protected position. The whole sandy coast is honeycombed with trenches, flanked by subterranean catacombs, constructed of concrete, and being bomb-proof.

Herman torpedoers and other naval craft are constantly moving between Ostend and Zeebruggc: It is understood tile Germans have been recently turning out exceptionally fast, well-armed destroyers, which they have brought to Belgian ports. It is only two hours' steaming from Ostend to the South Foreland. WHOLESALE TORPEDOINGS. OFF FINNISH COAST AND GULF OF BOTHNIA. 1 Received Oct. 29, 5.30 p.m. Stockholm, Oct. 28. I'tu captain of a steamer which has arrived at Oregrund states that German submarines recently sank fourteen steamers off the Finnish coast and the Gulf of Bothnia. WAR RISKS. rLondon, October 27, War risk rates are:—Liners, Atlantic 20s, others 40s; Cape route, 40s; United Kingdom to Scandinavia, 100s per cent. AN AMERICAN RUMOUR New York, October 27. The Navy Department has learned that a German submarine, has arrived at Norfolk, but all information is withheld. A later message states that the submarine's arrival is only a report which is not confirmed.