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by the Germanic Powers of the whole body of their resources on military ends, produced conditions altogether different from those prevailing in previous naval wars. The rules laid down in the Declaration of London, could not stand the strain imposed by the test, of rapidly changing conditions and tendencies which could not have been foreseen. The Allied Governments were forced to recognize the situation thus created, and to adapt the rules of the Declaration from time to time to meet these changing conditions. These successive modifications may perhaps have exposed the purpose of the Allies to misconstruction ; they have therefore come to the conclusion that they must confine themselves simply to applying the historic and admitted rules of the law of nations. The Allies solemnly and unreservedly declare that the action of their warships, no less than the. judgments of their Prize Courts, will continue to conform to these principles; that they will faithfully fulfil their- engagements, and in particular will observe the terms of all international conventions regarding the laws of war; that, mindful, of the dictates of humanity, they repudiate utterly all. thought of threatening the lives of non-combatants; that they will not without cause interfere with neutral property; and that if they should, by the action of their fleets, cause damage to the interests of any merchant acting in good faith, they will always be ready to consider his claims and to grant him such redress as may be due. Enclosure 2 in No. 1. Order in Council. (Vide Enclosure to No. 4.7.)

No. 49. New Zealand, No. 568. My Lord,— Downing Street, 26th July, 1916. With reference to my despatch, No. 380, of the 24th May, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of a notice issued by the Board of Trade to shipbuilders, shipowners, and shipmasters on the subject of ships' lifeboat compasses. 2. Copies of the notice are being sent direct by the Board of Trade to the proper authorities in His Majesty's oversea dominions. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

A.-l, 1917 No. 49.

Enclosure. Notice to Shipbuilders, Shipowners, and Shipmasters. Ships' Lifeboat Com/passes. 1. General Rule 14 (2) of the Life-saving Appliances Rules requires the boats carried by foreigngoing ships, or by ships in Classes I to V inclusive of the home trade, to be provided each with an efficient compass. Subject to the provisions of paragraphs 2 and 5 of this notice, no compass inspected on or after the Ist January, 1917, may be passed under this rule unless it complies with the following specification : — (a,.) The compass must be of the " liquid " type. (6.) The magnet must have ample directive force. (c.) The card must be not less than 4 in. in diameter, must have a clearance from the bowl of at least Jin, and must have a centre of sapphire, hard agate, or other hard stone. (d.) The pivot must be of suitable hard metal, preferably iridium. (c.) The liquid must be non-corrosive, and otherwise suitable for the purpose. (/.) The chamber must be provided with means to allow for the expansion and contraction of the liquid. (g.) The bowl must be weighted at, the bottom and fitted with gimbals giving fore-and-aft and thwartship action, and must be placed in a binnacle or box of non-magnetic material.

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