THE SCANDINAVIAN REPLY.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 February 1917, Page 5

THE SCANDINAVIAN REPLY.

SWITZERLAND ACTS FOR GERMANY Router Service. Received Feb. !), 5.5 p.m. Cin-istiania, Feb. S. The joint Scandinavian reply to Germany protests especially against the threat to sink vessels without warning, and not attempting to save the crews. ' The Norwegian Government has replied to the appeal of America that it cannot adhere to the hitter's action against Germany, adding that the three Scandinavian kingdoms are now discussing their attitude on the basis of international law. . .Berne, Feb. 8. Switzerland has agreed to take charge of German interests in the United States. ARGENTINA'S REPLY. A LUCKY DISCOVERY. (Pen tor). Biienus Air-..-. i'-ii. S. The Government lias replied to (iermaiiy regretting that the Kaiser co,. sidi red such an exireme measure necesRarj and declaring that the Government would base its conduct on the fundamental principles of international law. A German wireless station has been discovered five miles outside Rio, communicating with German ships detained elsewhere. ACTION OF GREECE AND CHINA. Athens, Feb. 8. The Foreign Minister states that Greece is sounding other neutrals before replying to Mr. Wilson. Pekin, Feb. b. It is not expected that China will accept Mr. Wilson's invitation. German intrigues have probably created an exaggerated fear of Germany in Government circles. SPAIN ANTAGONISTIC TO GERMANY. Received February fl. fi.55 p.m. Madrid, Feb. S. Spain's reply to Berlin and Vienna haa been published. It states that Spain cannot agree to the maritime proceedings of the Central Powers, and hopes that they will be withdrawn. Failing this Spain will take all measures to safeguard her National dignity. . It is announced in.Madrid tha£ all political leaders have met and decided to support the Government. Parliament will authorise ample credits. London, Feb. fl. Spain's reply protests that Germany's unprecedented attitude is against international law ,and demands respect for maritime commerce and sailors' lives. SPAIN AS AN INTERMEDIARY. Received Feb. fl. 5.5 p.m. Washington, Feb. 8. The Spanish Note protests against submarining as being a violation of international law, and an invasion of neutral rights; hut Spain, having taken over American interests in Germany, is anxious to keep open communications with Berlin as the best channel of negotiation between the Central Powers and the Entente. THE POPE'S ACTION. Rome, February 7. It is reported that the Pope is pressing Germany to abandon indiscriminate submarining*, which are opposed to the laws of humanity. SWEDEN AND HOLLAND HOLD ALOOF. Copenhagen, February 8. An oflicial message from Stockholm states that the Swedish Foreign Minister has informed the American .Minister that Sweden cannot respond to IPresident Wilson's invitation. Amsterdam, February 7. The Dutch Foreign Minister has informed the American Minister that Holland has no ground for imitating President Wilson's action. AUSTRIA AND AMERICA. EFFORTS TO AVOID A RUPTURE, Received February fl, fi.so p.m. 'Vienna, Feb. 8. Conferences between the Foreign Ollicc and the United States Ambassador continue in tlic hope of preventing a rupture, but thus far there has been no definite result. The effort to delay the rupture is based on the fact that, the submarine piracy is carried on under ihe liu'mmi flag, and that, moreover, there is but little American shipping in the Muliler-rnm-iin. DETAILS OF SINKING OF THE CALIFORNIA. London, Feb. 8. Details regarding the sinking of the California are still conflicting. Tin, latest report is that there were 170 aboard, including 32 passengers. The survivors were an hour in the boats before being rescued and wore almost destitute of clothes. Router Service. Received Feb. 0, 5.5 p.m. The second officer of the California states there were 32 passengers and 173 of the crew. After the terrific shock the boats were lowered. The passengers behaved splendidly. Numbers of the ei>cw assert that a submarine- appeared on each side of the liner, • so that escape was impossible. No warning was given, and the vessel foundered in seven minutes. The captain remniiietl aboard until the s'hip sank, being subsequently rescued. The missing include the chief engineer, the third officer and engineer. Survivors state that four passengers and twenty of the crew were killed, and that 13 pasengers aud 28 of the crew are missing. MtCallum, the second officer, states that a cable from New York reports that two children, claiming to be American bom. are reported as missing, and that possibly a third child is American. Received Feb. 9, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 8. The Vedamore and Saxonian were submarined. Other sinkings are: British, Turino (424.1 tons); Spanish. Macarena (1122 tons); also two Grimsby haulers. All the crews were saved.