London, Dec. 24.
Britain announced yesterday that it would launch a mine-laying. programme as a reprisal against German mine activity and "for the bet-{or protection of vessels navigating in the North Sea".
Declaring that British mines would laid without further notice within defined areas, the Admiralty issued 4 communique stating that "Germany has been guilty of Iaying automatic-lly moored mines without notice in the North Sea outside territorial walers off the British coast".
"Consequently", the communique said, "the Admiralty gives notice thal it is their intention to lay mines for the better protection of vessels navigating in the North Sea off the east coast of England and Scotland".
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.