Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-25
SUBMARINE BLOCKADE
IN EFFECT ONE WEEK
Two Norwegian. One French and
Five British Steamers Sunk
or Torpedoed.
OTHERS VICTIMS OF MINES
Two German Underwater Bonts Mis-
sing and Another Probably De-
stroyed-Nothing Further Heard
OF Operations In the Dardanellcs.

LONDON, February "a 10:32 p. NJ.
The German submarine blockade of
the British Isles has been in effect ono
week. The result. so far as is known,
is that two Norwegian. one French and
hVe British steamers have been sunk
or torpedoed by submarines. with tho
surprisingly small loss OF four lives.
Two OF the steamers reached port
On the other side OF the account, two
German submarines are reported miss
Ing third hit and possibly sunk by n
French destroyer.
Besides the vessels which fell vic
tins TO tho submarines. two .\Ine rican
and one Norwegian steamers have been
sunk by mines near the German coast,
and the Swedish steamer Specia and
one or two British steamers are over
due. and II is feared they have been
lost
Nearly all the steamers torpedoed
by submarines were small and slow
vessels and at least three were caught
while NJ anchor or while barely under
way. This fact. with the failure of n
submarine to hit a fast cross channel
steamer at which II fred torpedo.
apparently proves to the satisfaction
of british naval writer's that steamers
with moderate speed. which observe
obvious precautions. can escape the
underwater craft. and such vessels are
continuing to cross the seas
BLOCKADE INCREASES
INSURANCE RATES
The blockade, however. has increased
, insurance rates, and some neutral
owners are keeping their ships in neu-
trail waters.
Nhf tntp th.
public In England and In neutral coun-
tries are curious as to the latest pro-
posal of the American government to
Great Britain and Germany concerning
the blockade. and also as to what re-
prisals the allies Will make to the
blockade.
In addition to the loss OF the mer-
chantmen. the British admiralty has
given up hope for the armed steamer
| Clan MacNaughton. which has not been
heard from since February 3. and
which. II is believed. went down ms did
another armed merchantman, the
Viknor, in a storm that struck Eng
lish waters early In the month The
| Clan MacNaughton carried crew OF
ESQ men.
The admiralty also reported tonight
the loss of three airmen of the forty
along the Belgian coast
Nothing further has been heard OF
naval operations in the Dardanelles.
interrupted by unfavorabe weather
conditions. but 1t Is understood the In
tention is to continue all efforts to
destroy forts which line the straits
Otherwise. the Turks, who have been
severely handled I'm the Caucasus,
Egypt and Mesopotamta. nre being per-
mitted TO rest, while preparations are
being made by the allies for power
full attack against them.
OBSTACLES TO PREVENT
INVASION OF RUSSIA
A wireless report from Berlin saws
further obstacles have arisen to pre-
vent the invasion OF Russia, and this
Is accepted by military observers as
confirmation Of reports from Petrograd
that the Russians are making a sue
cessful stand against the invaders
along their fortress line on the north
ern rivers.
The Russians. from all accounts. are
holding back the Austrians In Buko-
wilma. and official dispatches state that
they have rcoccupied the important
railway centre of Stanislau
There has been little or no change in
the Carpathians. where fighting has
been In progress for nearly two months.
Continued on Second pnpal