ON THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 March 1918, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

GERMAN DESTROYERS SUNK. AFTER BOMBARDING DUNKIRK.' J London, March -20. British and French destroyers sank five enemy light craftLondon, March 21. German destroyers, which were bombarding Dunkirk at dawn, were intercepted by five British and French destroyers and compelled to fight. Four German destroyers were sunk. Received March 23. 2.30 a.m. London, March 22. British and French destroyers, off Dunkirk, between 4 and 5 in the morning, engaged German destroyers which had previously bombarded the town for ten minutes. Two enemy destroyers and two torpedoers are believed to have been sunk. The survivors of two torpedoers were picked up. No Allied vessels were sunk, but a British destroyer was damaged aad reached harbor. The British casualties were slight. There wero no French casualties. THE SHIPPING POSITION. DEBATE IN THE COMMONS. London, March 21. Dealing with the shipping position, Sir Edward Carson said that when he was First Lord of the Admiralty the shipping problem was a constant anxiety. "After the unrestricted submarinings, especially in March, April, and May, 1917," he added, "we really felt that the position was almost hopeless." He opposed the constant changes to and fro as regards shipbuilding methods. He asked for further information as to Lord Pirrie's functions. Sir Edward Carson said that his first conversation with Admiral Jellicoe related to the submarine, menace. They considered that the problem must be regarded as a whole, and that one great organisation was necessary to meet the menace. Sir Edward Carson considered it impossible to have different departments 'running separately. Lord Pirrie was a masterful man, and it was his duty to fight for the mercantile marine, but wo must have a strong navy above everything. The fleet required more attention the longer the war lasted. It was likely, in view <tf the navy's tremendous work, that it would be worn out. This must be prevented. When he was First Lord the relations of the employers and workmen in some of the yards were the worst he had ever experienced- Such relations were disastrous to the country. Mr. Lloyd George replied to criticisms. He said there were 133 extensions to merchant shipyards projected, of which 107 were already proceeding. He recognised that naval and merchant building muse co-operate. The First Lord would <l<. this. The supply of steel was quite satisfactory. Every discoverable skilled man in the home forces had hecn withdrawn. . This could not be .lone at once from the army in the field. The results respeeting'repairs to damaged ships were cheering. II» welcomed the idea of propaganda in the shipyards to impress the workmen with the necessity of the utmost efforts. If the current output was increased 25 per cent, the deficiency would be wiped out. Mr. Asquith said the late Government had been fully alive to the submarine menace. The reduction in new merchantmen built in 191G was due to the navy's exacting requirements. The prevailing disquiet was largely due to the misleading estimates of the shipping losses given at various times. London, March 21. Lord Beresford, in a speech in London, said the shipping position was senous. If the Government had done its 'best it was a devilish bad best. They got into this mess through Government control of shipbuilding. The business should be left to shipbuilders alohe. |

SIR ERIC CEDDES' STATEMENT LONDON PRESS COMMENT. Received March 22, 7.25 p.m. London, Marcli 21. The Times, commenting on Sir Erie. Geddes' statement, states that the general effect will be rather reassuring. The statement of the British losses, howevor, is much less reassuring, ft increases the gravity and urgency of the shipbuilding problem. The Times' naval correspondent says it is doubtful whether the rather cold statement will arouse the nation Ho the supreme and essential effort. The Daily Mail says the facts are serious enough, but they need not cause dismay, if faced in the right spirit. The Daily News says Sir Eric Goddes ! lias not alleviated public anxiety, nor has he fulfilled the expectation that the Government intended to confide in the nation. It is time this great question ceased to be the sport of weak men at cross purposes. The Daily Express urges that. Lord Pirie be made autocrat of the shipyards; that he be put at the wheel and all Interference forbidden. He knows more qbout shipbuilding than any ether man in the United Kingdom. A REASSURING STATEMENT. COMPLAINT OF OMISSIONS. Received March 23, 12.5 fc.ni. London, March 22. Newspapers regard Sir Eric Geddes' speech as reassuring rather than disquieting, but they complain of its omissions, especially regarding losses of merchant shipping, and demand fuller details. Tho Daily Telegraph points out that the figures do not include s'hips out of commission for many weeks during repairs, and adds that losses must be deducted from half the aggregate on the register, owing to the number of ships engaged on naval and military duties. Therefore, last year's depredations, on a basis of supply of the needs of the civil population, equalled a net reduction, of tonnase of 40 ner cent.

The speech is also criticised on the ground that it is a mere defence of the Admiralty, and not giving a rousing call to the shipyarders to do their utmost. CAINS AND LOSSES. THE BRITISH POSITION EXPLAINED Received March 22.. 10 p.m. London, March 22. The Admiralty, in a statement, summarises as follows the shipping position at the end of last year: Losses British, 7,079,000 tons. Foreign, 3,500,000 tons. The enemy tonnage captured by the British was 78,000 tons. Bought or chartered-foreign, 1,800,000 tons. The gains of the British were, therefore, 3,800,000 tons, and the bases, 5,383,000 tons. UNION STEAMER SUNK. Dunedin, March 21. Advice has been received that a steamer belonging to the ; Union Company, under charter to the Imperial Government, has heen torpedoed in the Mediterranean. All the crew were saved.