SUBMARINE CAMPAIGN.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 February 1917, Page 4

SUBMARINE CAMPAIGN.

AMERICAN POSITION SERIOUS. NAVY USELESS AGAINST "U" BOATS GERMANY CAN BLOCKADE COASTS. / SHORTAGE OF AIR FLEET. Renter Service. Received Feb. 3, 5.5 p.m. Washington, February 2. The near future will develop into something very serious, said a member of Cabinet. After the session, Cabinet agreed that America cannot countenance interference with American lights, as proposed by Germany. The Austrian Ambassador says that the Emperor Iwdc him cultivate the friendliest relations with the United States, seeing thnt there was an era of prosperity for free Poland with Austria well fed. New York, February 3. Navy Yard officers say that there arc only four American destroyers and two submarines in fighting trim here. America's Atlantic fleet is at present at Cuba for strategic reasons. It would serve for. coast defence, hut would he useless against "U" boats. According to a high official of tho American Navy, Germany could easily blockade the coast 'with suibmarmcs and paralyse internal and foreign commerce. The American fleet was not prepared, and would be annihilated if the German fleet got loose. , An American aviation expert says that Amer'ta has only three hundred aviators, including those in the army and navy, and one hundred machines.

VICTIMS TAKEN TO CANARIES. SPANISH -SHIPS DIVERTED. Madrid, February 2. Spanish trips trading to France and England have boon diverted. The first victims of the blockade were brought'to. the Canary Islands, which neutrals and belligerents alike have abandoned. A trawler landed the crew or a torpedoed Danish steamer. Another steamer towing the crew- in boats was torpedoed and a trawler then picked them up. The Minister of Marino has telegraphed to the Spanish port authorities temporarily prohibiting sailings. SUCCESS OF ARMING- LINERS. Paris, February 2. It is stated that Biitish statistical records show that out of a total of 78 armed liners attacked by submarines 11 escaped, while out of ICO unarmed only seven escaped. ACTION IN HOLLAND. The Hague, February 1. A conference between tUo Government and shipowners' discussed the possibility oi continuing neutral shipping, especially to the Dutch Indies. The Government promised support for this, also the protection of vessels now afloat. Meantime, the Government suggested (.hat ships should not sail unless the Government was consulted. Ymniden reports that a Dutch trawler fishing in the North Sea was repeatedly shelled by a German submarine, though she immediately stopped. The skipper asked an explanation, and the pirate replied that lie believed the trawler attempted to rum the submarine. FRENCH UNiALARMED. Paris, February 2. In the Senate the Minister of Marino declared that the new submarine campaign corresponded ivith Germany's attitude in violating all her war pledges. The Germans were unable to do anything worse than their past frightfulness. They would remain calm and without fear. During the last eleven months 51 million ton? of shipping came to France and less than half per cent, was submarined. THE LACK OF COAL. Copenhagen, February -. Difficulties in connection with the coal supply are the main cause of immediate anxiety in Scandinavia. Norway has ordered large consignments from . America and ha.lt Sweden's eonl comes from England and half from Germany. The latter was cut down recently ewing I to the labor shortage. * Leading Danish gas companies iiye. «nly a few aa.**' supply.

■SHIPPING SCARE VANISHING. I e scaro m , hi • circ|ea •. •' ««« «-e ••■; u««of A«.f«,Jusscis m the trans-Atlantic trade haw decided to follow the example of EnX browner, and abide by tlfoinstrueffi 01 their Governments, running the risk* of the German blockade unless there ar* oiaen, t„ he contrary from Wash rigC Jo-day liners are arriving and depart "■g as usual. «"i»nA PREMATURE ANNOUNCEMENT. p»„* • „ London, Feb. 2. „,,?«"* V» nconver «"™»Pond«t |r e. poi U that the story that Count- Bern.. f« 1 n» WCCived bis P»»P»rt« (cabled Ottawa yesterday) is not confirmBRYAN FAVORS PEACE. ir i,.- t „ New York '- F * b ' 2 - -Mr. \V. .T, Bryan declares that the United State? must not enter into war Germany's action had not changed the situation morally. He emphasises the logic of Mr. Wilson's peace appeal. The settlement of disputes should be deferred till after the war. PEACE WITH HONOR. _ . New York, i''eb. *. The New York Staats. Zoitung's coin. ■■ ment 'has caused some surprise. It says: "We are obliged to give Ger- ' many as we have given Britain a free land to conduct the war as she n«e» fit. so long as 1 , we are not involved or, wronged. Wo may safely leave the mattcr in the hands of Mr. Wilson, whi> was elected on the platform of peace with honor. We have entire confidence in his ability to interpret the meaning of the Note' and protect Africa's in. terosis in every respect wherein they are threatened, endangered, or denied." THE INTERNED GERMAN SHIPS. New York, Feb. 2. An order was given to captains of in* ftrned ships to destroy their papers and cripple the machinery. Officials foiled the plan. The interned vessels at New York, ineluding lTnboken, total 30, aggregating 'MVfiOft tons. Precautions have been taken against scuttling at all ports. A, tcrpedo boat watched the entrance to New York after nightfall. The Government has made a list of a, ' thousand Gorman propagandists, . and also of their meeting places. Marine rates have been' doubled, and companies refuse to quote beyond February 4, Count Tarnowski, the Austrian An* . br.ssador, has arrived. He says that the German peace move having Wn spurned by the Allies the struggle must continue. The Note was a complete surprise to New York. A SECOND GERMAN NOTE. Washington, Feb. 2. A second memorandum delivered »T Count HornstnrlV with the German Note differs somewhat in substance (rem the Note. The memorandum states, inter alia, that Germany is unable further to forego the full use of submarines. ; The United States will realise that the Allies' determination to destroy the Central Towers gives back to Germany the freedom of action she reserved in the Nets to the United States of .Tune 4, 1018. Germany therefore will forcibly prevent, within the barred zones, all navigation, including that of neutrals to and from England and France. All ships met within that zone will be auntc. POSITION DISCUSSED. • Washington, Feb. 2. Opinion at a Into hour was divide* as to the probability of a break within 24 hours, or a final warning to Ger» many preceding drastic action. Count Bcrnstoril' is said to have admitted that ho expects to receive his s passports. The German Embassy says that Germany began sending out submarine! | three weeks ago and has now nearl* fixed the blockade lines. The State Department says that it has had no communication with Couat Bernstorff, although there are man? rumors that he has received his passports. SECR ECY~MAINTAINED. I New York, Feb. 2. There is continual secrecy at thq State Department and the White Heu»« concerning America's intentions. Mr. Lansing refuses to discuss any, lipase of the situation, and Mr. Whaa played golf this mornmg. Mr. Lansing saw. reporters and ap< peared mere cheerful. Asked why he replied on the se»sn* day of the crisis, he said that there waa always less strain than en tke teat day. NOBWEGLLV~VESSEL SOSK. T*6 Nwrwetian ete**<.Blrijft (Ufl *•*») haa teas analc. ■ ™