ON THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 May 1918, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

GERMAN PIRACY. U-BOATS .SUNK FASTER THAN BUILT. London, May 23. The newspapers accept the submarine statistic* at* evidence that the German piracy has failed, and that the U-boats are being sunk faster than they are bnilt. The Daily News states that the sinkirg of 305,102 tons is hardly more than |f a third of the devastation of April, 1017, while the blocking of Zeebrugge and Ostend, and the great minefield between Norway and the Shetlands have not yet had time to affect the returns. Doubtless Admiral von Capelle is verbally correct in saying that the number of U-boats is greater than when unrestricted warfare besan, but the rate of destruction will now be accelerated. The | convoy system, the universal arming of merchantmen, the increased number of destroyers and hydroplanes, the unification of command, and the increased demoralisation and poor training of the German crews are all helping to confound Admiral von Capelle.'a boastings. British construction ought, however, to exceed 200,000 tons monthly.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. ! JAPANESE STEAMER AFIRE. Received May 25, 12.55 a.m. Vancouver, May 23. The Japanese steamer Burmah Maru is afire off the west coast of Vancouver Island. A wireless report states that help is near.—Reuter.