, 1916-05-20

German steamships by u submarine, believed
to be a Russian, is reported in a Reuters
despatch from Stockholm. The steamships
we're torpedoed yesterday afternoon off the
Swedish Island of Landsort ia the Baltic.
Inc "holga' was attacked at 5 %. ma. Two
members of the crew were slightly injured.
The "kolga" was torpedoed and sunk. 13
OF the crew were picked up by a Swedish
steamer. -Four others, including the Captain
and second mate are missing. Half an hour
later the "Bianca" was shelled and then torpe-
decd. The attack occurred in the same 7icini-
ty as that of the "Kolga'. The Captain was
taken prisoner. Two members of the crew
were injured slightly. They and the other
members of the crew were picked up by the
vessel which rescued the men from the
"Kolga".
Stockholm, May 18th.-phe German steam
er "Hera" was su2k this morning off Landsort
in he Baltic. The sinking of the "Hera"tnsrks
the first activity Of British submarines in the
Baltic this season. Sufficient time was gwen
the crew to leave the ship. Although the
weather was rough all on board were saw
ed, The "Hera" was u vessel Of a gross
tonnage of 4,705. She was owned in
Hamburg. According to the Dagensnyheter
the German steamer "Hera" was torpedoed by
q uOiLlt L0 SOuGl u l1tluHOEb YES
terday after having received a warning.
London, May 18th-From testimony
developed to-day at the hearing opened by
the Royal Commission TO enquire into The
Irish rebellion, it appeared that the Govern
ment had received advance information of
preparations for an uprising with help from
German sources. The testimony was given
by Sir Matthew Nathan, who resigned as
Under-Secretary for Ireland after the rebel
lion broke out, Hhe Government had racaiY-
ed advices", sajd Sir Matthew. "tbat an
attempt would be made to land arms in Ire
land from German submarines, also that
rifles could be purchased from Irish soldiers
on home leave, while others had been taken
III the country IN passengers baggage" In
the course Of his testimony, Sir Matthew de-
c!ared that the fear that the Military Service
Act would be applied to Ireland Induced u
number Of Nationalist Volunteers to ION
the Sim Fem movement, so at the begin
ming Of the disturbances there we're 10000
hostile volunteers throughout ireland, of
whom 5000 We're in Dublin. Considerable
sums, he said, had been coming from Ameri-
ca, the funds being used for the purchase
OF arms and the printing of seditious papers.
and leaflets. It was estimated, he added.
that 916,000 had been received from Ameri-
ca. Steps had been taken, continued Sir
Matthew, to deal with the movement before
the insurrection by preventing Civil servants
from belonging to the Irish Volunteers, and
by stopping this organization from becolu-
ing a military one by cutting off sup
plies Of arms and ammuuitioue. Sir
Matthew caused some surprise 10y stating
that he had communicated on two occasions
with the Irish leaders, Mr., John Redmond,
Mr., John Dillon and Mr., Joseph Devlin in
regard to the condition of affairs in Ireland,
but had been unable to discuss them with
Mr.. Timothy Healy. The reason given by
Sir Matthew was, ''shortly after [ went to
Ireland, he said, things about me which made
it impossible" The remainder Of Sir Mat
thew's evidence was taken 10 camera, after
which the Commission adjourned.
London, May 18th-An interesting discus
sion on finance after the war was raised in