ON THE SEA?

Taranaki Daily News, 6 July 1918, Page 5

ON THE SEA?

MERCHANTMAN FIGHTS SUBMARINE. ~& PASSENGERS CHEER. THE GUNNERS. ... THE PIRATE ESCAPES. Received July <S, 2.KS am. London, July 4. A thrilling story is told of a British steamer's fight with one of the latest type of U-boat. A torpedo passed under the ftteamer's stern, and a search revealed a periscope 60 yards away. The 300 passengers calmly took up their boat stations. The submarine (broke the surface a quarter of an hour later, training two light guns on the steamer, which replied, and six shots fell near the submarine, compelling her to sheer off. She manoeuvred so as to bring 2 heavy guns into action, and a shell struck the steamer, causing a list to port. A smoke screen proved ineffective owing to the wind, and the got the most possible out of the engines during a running fight, in the course of which the merchantman's aerials were shot away. The passengers coolly watched the fight, and cheered the sailors and gunners. The submarine abandoned the fight at nightfall.—Press Assoc, '

PURCHASE OF CHILIAN WARSHIP. AMERICA'S GREAT EFFORT. SOME INTERESTING FIGURES. Received July 6, 11.30 p.m. London, July 4. In the House of Commons," Lord Robert Cecil said that Britain had presented a few aeroplanes to Chili for colvteously agreeing to sell to Britain a Chilian battleship now building in Britain. Admiral Sims, speaking at an AngloSaxon meeting, emphasised AngloAmerican naval friendship. America had at present in European waters 250 vessels, 3000 officers and 40,000 men, serving from the White Sea to the Adriatic. During the coming year over treble the present number of destroyers would be fighting for the Allies, while over ISO submarine chasers would soon be doing duty in the War zone, of which half were already there.—Reuter.

LATEST HUN OUTRAGE. THE LLANDOVERY CASTLE. STATEMENT BY MR. BONAR LAW. Received July 6, 1.30 a.m. London, July 4. In the House of Commons, Mr Bonar Law said the Llandovery Castle carried no ammunition. The German allegation that she was sunk by a British mine was self contradictory. The survivors actually communicated with the German submarine.

The Admiralty is considering providing an escort for every hospital ship.— Reuter.

FULL RETRIBUTION DEMANDED. New York, July 3. The New York Times, commenting on the case of the Llandovery Castle, says that the Binking of illuminated hospital ships adds another atrocity to Germany's foul record. Cold-blooded assassins have desecrated the Cross of Mercy. They strike to slay, glutting their cruelty on helpless non-eombatants. The Allies must see that Germany pays full retribution for this crowning atrocity. Newspapers throughout the country unanimously express disgust at Germany's sinking of the Llandovery Castle. The New York Herald says: It is another reason why the Germans will be execrated by decent people at all times henceforth. The Germans have no rightful place in civilisation. No language could be strong enough to denounce such murderers. The New York Tribune says: The sinking shows incredible brutality ( coupled with blind trickery like that of a jungle monster gone mad. Germany has clearly embarked on a policy of sinking hospital ships. The New York World remarks: It is an infamous crime for which Germany must expect a fearful retribution.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association.

BELGIAN" SHIP SUNK. Washington, July 3. The Navy Department announces that the Belgian steamer Ohilier was sunk by a U boat 1400 miles from the Atlantic coast on June 21. —Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association. IMPUDENT GERMAN DENIAL. London, July 4. The Llandovery Castle crime continues to excite the bitterest comment in the press and on the. platform. Dutch newspapers have joined the chorus of abuse of German methods, which outrage every decent sentiment of humanity. The German reply to the Admiralty statement consists of an amazingly impudent denial, alleging that a British mine was responsible.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association.