Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1841-1918, 1915-03-09

]
5erltori.
NEUTRALS MENACED BY ENG
LISH MINES.
From a compilation of reports re-
ceived from neutral European coun-
tries the semioflicial Cologne Gazette
makes some startling disclosures re-
garding the reckless strewing of
mines by the British on the high
seas in the way of neutral commerce.
or 234 mines washed ashore on the
Dutch coast 113 were found to be
British, "A French and only Ger
man. While examination showed
that the German mines. which had
been torn away from their anchor
age, were automatically renderer
harmless, the English mines. on the
other hand, were still "alive." Eng
lands use OF such mines is in vio
lation of The Hague convention.
This littering of the seas by the Eng
lish with mines, says the Cologne
Gazette, explains the laundering Of
an increasing number of merchant
vessels.
The article is as follows:
Among the assertions made by
England for prejudicing the iudg
ment of the world and in particular
of the neutral nations regarding
Germanys methods Of warfare one
always meets with the charge that
the Germans are strewing mines not
only in the English coast waters, hut
also on the high seas. and particu-
larly on the highroads Of commerce
in tho North sea, and that, moreover.
their mines are made of materials
that are of poor quality and thus in
violation OF international agree
ments The alleged faulty anchor
age of German mines has been the
basis of much English criticism.
Again, their dangerous nature, even
after they have been torn from their
| fastenings, caused the excitement Of
John Bull, who likes to pose as the
protector of the smaller neutral
powers and the guardian of inter-
national law AS a matter OF fact,
all these mines that endanger peace
ful navigation and that should cause
indignation are not German but Eng
lish mines, as is illustrated by the
following news furnished exclusively
by the press of neutral countries
covering reports received during
January.
Mines Picked Up at Sea.
Jan. 5.-Norwegian papers re-
ported that numerous mines have
drifted ashore on the south coast of
Norway. One was picked up by the
Norwegian authorities and examined.
The result of the examination shows
there is no doubt about the English
origin of these mines.
Jam 16.=Reported from Amster-
dam: To-day a British mine was
picked up near Wilringen, on the
i Zuyder Zee"
Jan. 21-Reported from Christi
ania: Dangerous sea mines, driven
ashore on the coast of Norway, are
causing grave concern. 1t has just
been reported that two more mines
of this kind have been washed ashore
near the town of Haugesund. One
of these mines was rendered harm
less by navy men. This particular
mine was an English anchored mine
which had gone adrift."
Jan. 21.-The London correspon-
dent Of the Giornale d'Italia reports
CONSERVATION among British and
French naval and commercial circles
as the result of numerous drifting
mines OF English origin which are
now encountered even in the open
Atlantic.
Widespread reports show the
danger Of mines is daily increasing
along the southern part OF the Nor
wegian coast The captain OF a
steamer just arrived at Stavanger
reports that he sighted twelve or
thirteen mines between Skagen and
the Norwegian coast on northerly
course and seven mines on south
erly trip. At Skudesnaes another
mine was found and three at Eyer
sund, They were hauled ashore.
The S. s. Skagen observed one mine
south of Christiansand, which was
also delivered to the navy officials
One mine has been washed ashore
near the Swedish coast at Hvaler.
All OF the examined mines are Brit
ish contact mines.
Jan. 30.=Amsterdam papers re-
port: "Since the beginning Of the
war 234 mines have been washed
ashore on the Dutch coast among
them 113 British, "A French and 3
German mines"
British Mines OF Poor Construction.
Since the beginning of the war six
mines have been destroyed north OF
Helder and about forty on the shore.
Five of these, the Cologne Gazette
states. were Of French, thirty of
British and five of unknown origin.
OF thirteen mines destroyed between
Helder and the Hook of Holland
twelve were British and one French.
Thirtysix mines were rendered harm
less south of the Hook of Holland
and seventy were destroyed after
having been swept ashore; four ex-
ploded while being swept ashore.
All told 234 mines have been swept
ashore on the Dutch coast since the
war broke out The zuyder Zee is
being watched for mines.
From the foregoing it is evident
that the British and French mines