, 1916-02-19

Admiralty that armed enemy merchant splPS
mqy be sunk without warning, was iatio-
duced to-day by Senator Verling, Republlcan
of South Dakota. The resolution asserts
that there should be no acqulescenHe IN tue
order by the United States or other n%eutrals,
and declares the action OF the German Ad-
miralty TO be in coItravention CT long recog-
nized neutral rights.
Ottawa Feby. l5th.-Under oath before
the parliamentary fire investigation commits
sion this afternoon, fire chief Graham OF OF
tawa stoutlv maintained the opinion that the
fire in the Parliam ut buildings had been de-
liberately set. His theory is that n series
Of fires were started by chemicals III p num-
bar of paper files in the reaGlng-room. MS
main reasons for the belief are the rapidly
with which the fire spread, and the severe
explosions which he is positive occurred.
London. Feby. 15th-Consideratlon OF the
question of the treatment OF neutral Shippers
raised bv the American Notes to Great Brl-
tain has reached al advanced stage VIII the
prospect of important notifications designed
ia benefit the status of neutral shippers, ana
which it is believed will give satisfaction 10
those who are making the CHIEF Complaint
it was learned by the Associated Press. Onoer
the present system, when cargoes OF PERISH
able goods are sold the proceeds are after
wards c6IuruOu W II o0'PPO
establishes the bona tide charter OF the ship
,,opt hut deductions are nude from the
proceeds, So that the shipper pays the expense
OF detention, port dues, demurrage cts. and
the amount returned 10 the shipper IS thus
eaten M bv char ges Notwithstanding mat
the bona tide character)of the shipment has
been established. The new principle under
cunsid Grafton and likely to be applled VIII
protect neutral shippers from charges, and
in case the cargoes are detained or subjected
TO loss the shipper will be given an IN
demnity.
Berlin, Feby. 15th.-Denial was made to-
day by the Overseas Agency OF the recently
published report that a German warshlp
had beer sunk in the Cattegat.
Paris, Feb. 15th-News from the hostile
lines is that the Germans are directing the
construction of q railway from Uskub TO
Monastir by way of Krusovo, and the line
is nearly completed, says a Temps despatch
from Salonica to-day. Field Marshal Voc
Mackensen has been reviewing the Bulga-
rian troops ut Uskub and made a public
speech to them, eulogizlng their achieve
ments.
London. Feb. 14th- In the House of Lords,
Lord Kitchener reviewed British operations
in the various theatres of the war. 'ln
France said Earl Kitchener, although the
Indians have been withdrawn, our forces
have been materially increased by no lees
than eight Divisions of the New Army. In
Egypt adequate preparations have been made
against q threatened invasion. In Mesopo-
tamia General Aylmer is awaiting further
endorsements before renewing his forward
movement for a junction with General
Townshend." Touching on the workings OF
the new system of army enlistments, Earl
Kitchener said the Government was begin
ming to realize how seriously the number OF
men Immediately obtainabIe are affected by
exemption, 'time alone will show what the
result will be- said the Wal Secretary, "but
I trust on a future occasion to be in a posi-
ton to reassure the House as to the chance
of securing the numbers required" Con-
tinuine his review of the oberations, he said,
"The Allied offensive at Loos, in the Cham
paene and about Arras inflicted very heavy
losses on the Germans. and resulted IN
the capture of important positions by the
Allied troops. German counter-attacks failed
-te-reeoper The ground which the enemy
had been compelled to yield. Owing to
the continuous offensive action on the
Western front, considerable German forces
were withdrawn from the Russian from
tier, enabling Russia to obtain certaA1
Ill -