A NEW LIGHT ON THE SUBJECT.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1917, Page 5

A NEW LIGHT ON THE SUBJECT.

TEMPTATION TO ALLIES TO MAICJ* ' PREMATURE OFFENSIVE. 'KAISER ANGLING FOR TIME. Received Feb. fi, 8.50 p.m. London, Feb. !>. Some military critics in London express the opinion that the sudden announcement, of the policy of sea frightfulness was largely intended to tempt Field-Marshals Nivolle and llaig to launch a premature oll'ensive, so us to enable Field-Marshal von Hiudenburg to judge where the chief blow would fall. The German headquarters stall' is anxious to attain some early tangible result, before the Allies' plans are fully matured. The news that Germany is reconsidering her submarine policy has not caused surprise in American diplomatic circles in London, where it is regarded as simply a proof that the Kaiser is angling for time, and attempting, in a clumsy man!nov. to play with America. President Wilson's action is virtually j an ultimatum to .Germany, who wants to make it appear that she is badly treated and has done everything possible to conciliate American officials American telegrams state that Washington knows nothing about negotiations regarding concessions. ( HOPES OF AVOIDING WAR MUCH DEPENDS ON NEUTRALS. Received Feb. 0, f1.5 p.m. New York, Feb. 5. The Evening Post's Washington corre-' spemdont slates that a hopeful feeling n> noticeable, and that the United States may yet find it unnecessary to use force. By the lapse of time Germany may Secure a triumph, owing to the United States' attitude against bloodshed. Much will depend on a quick agreement of other neutrals with America's policy. The declaration of their attitude is anxiously awaited. THE NEWS IN GERMANY. REGRET EXPRESSED. Australian Cable Association. Received Feb. G, 8.30 p.m. Amsterdam, Feb. 5. Private messages have reached Berlin that diplomatic relations between Ger-i| many and the United States have been broken olf, but- the Government is withholding official information. Some of the public profess to doubt the correctness of the. news, while others deeply regret that , President Wilson has given the Note as interpretation that Germany did not in- I tend. . j It is stated that the measures were j not intended to damage neutrals, but Were due to the necessity of defending Germany. MURDERED,BY HUN PIRATES. A. & N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter Received Feb. (i, 0.40 p.m. London, Feb. li. The Admiralty reports that the steamer City of Birmingham was torpedoed without warning on November 27, ISO ) miles from land. She carried a crew of [ H 5 and 175 passengers, of whom 90 were women and children. In a heavy swell the boats were lowered wtthin ten minutes of the explosion. The captain remained until the vessel sank, being picked up later. The women were as calm as if going to meals, and sang while in the boats. The doctor and three of the crew were presumably drowned. The survivors of the steamer Eaveston report that the ship waß sunk by shellfire from a submarine. The crew abandoned the sinking ship, and the submarine shelled thoir boats. The master and three seamen were killed, and the second mate severely wounded. Among those killed was a Baltimore seaman. WILSON'S ACTION APPLAUDED. Australian Cable. Association. Received Feb. 0, 8.50 p.m. Geneva, Feb. !>, Swiss newspapers applaud President Wilson's decision to end bis period of hesitation. SUNK BY BOMBS. A & N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. Received Feb. C, 8.45 p.m. London, Feb. 5. The Admiralty reports that the Dutch steamship Ganna, bound from New Y'ork (to Amsterdam with a cargo of oilcake for the Netherlands Government, was sunk by a German submarine on Thursday. The submarine opened fire with guns, but subsequently' sank the vessel with bombs. It will be interesting to learn what distortion of international law Germany will employ as a justification. FURTHER SINKINGS. London, Feb. 5. I The Spanish steamers Bucon (2434 tons) and Noviembre (2300 tons), the Greek vessel Helicon (1106 tons), and several smaller ships have been sunk. The British ship Isle of Arran lias also been sunk. A submarine shelled the boats of the steamer. Evestoue, killing an American sailor. Wellington, Last Night. The manager of the Commonwealth and Dominion Line has been advised that the Port Adelaide, formerly the Inehaoura, whieb left uiinlun at the week-end, has been sunk, ill : passene<is and crnv being save.