Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-04-05
GERMAN SUBMARINES MAY CROSS OCEAN.

And now new peril confronts this neutral nation OF
ours j. w. T. Mason, expert of the United Press as
eocaton thinks that Germany may be preparing to Send
submarines across the Atlantic to resume her undersea
warfare in American waters. This possibility Indicated
in the news that a steamer sunk by submarine Off
Cape FiniSterre, Spain.
The affair." he admits is small in ITSELF but 1t establish
es new record for submarine voyage This the reason
it is an incident of the greatest Importance, technically
since the German undersea warfare began FlnsteTe
1900 miles from Cuxhaven The route passes through the
ay of Bscay one of the toughest pieces of water the
cobe Only very recently designed submarine could un
dertake such voyage which doubtless was chiefly expert
mental Otherwise there would be certainty OF re-
suit proportonae to the energy expended by confnng
operations to the waters about the British isles.
The newest type of submarine which it is known Ger
many is constructing has many tentative features On
these the future development of underwater warfare
partly depends Undoubtedly much of the Germans sub
marine activity planned primarily to try out these nno
vaons The recent appearance OF submarine Off West
ireland was an experiment. So the presence of
other off Spain The sudden announcement that Ger
man submarine has been sighted off New York might be-
come the logical third experiment.
The radius Of action Of the newest submarine is 5000
to 1000 miles with speed of S2 knots This would per-
NIT submarine theoretically to the Atlantic and
return to Germany Whether this feat practical pos
sbe would depend on the water The radius of action
stated is surface radius Oil fue is used for surface pro-
pusion but electricity is substituted when the boat sub
berged
1t is improbable that enough electricity can be stored
away by the best supersubmarne for than 100 miles
cruising without recharging Therefore, long voyage
must be made almost entirely the surface where there
would be grave risk of serious damage during North At
lantc weather
Expert Mason concludes that the game would be
worthy of the earessness and daring shown by the Ger
man naval commanders. There are several allied war
ships outside New York and other ports surprise ap-
pearance by the German supersubmarnes might result in
catching them off their guard and several might be tor
pedoed 1t be taken for granted that this plan has
been examined by the German admiralty. Sending sub
marine to Fnisteme, than third Of the distance
the Atlantic may in fact be preliminary tyout
for voyage to New York How the submarine withstood
the weather in the Bay Of Biscay will have important
bearing upon the admratys ultimate decision to the
feasibility Of transatlantic voyage-and therein lies
only hope if Mr. Masons deductions are well ground
ed of escaping the eventuay of having the war brought
to our very doors Ii So let us hope that the daring sub
marine did not perform up to the expectation Of the naval
rulers this experimental raid The is having enough
bad effects upon this country its business and shipping
and the peace of mind oft people, with the Atlantic
oceansepaatng lis from the scene of its destructive actv
tiles