31 MARCH 1917, Page 2

The German excuse will no doubt be that given last

January. Our enemies then declared, though of course quite falsely, that our hospital ships were used for the transport of munitions and troops. We may add that under the Hague Convention Germany has the right to search hospital ships, the obvious remedy in case of sus- picion, but one which she has never employed. What action will be taken by our Government remains to be seen. On January 31st our Foreign Office stated that if the threat of sinking hospital ships were carried out, reprisals would immediately be taken.