The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-28
7lARSHIP ERA PAST,
NAVY MINISTER SAYS
Augagneur Asserts Undersea
Craft Have Upset All
Old Methods.
NO SOLUTION FOUND YET
Special Correspondence TO The Sun.

Special Correspondence 10 The SUs.
Milan. June 4-victor Augagneur.
French Minister OF Marine. has Joined
the school Of naval experts who see In
the development. OF the submarine as
demonstrated In the present war the
passing OF the battleship as the vital
feature Of naval warfare. NJ. Augag-
neur. who before his entry into the
French war Cabinet had made a notable
name as Mayor of Lyons, his native
city. and as Governor Of Madagascar.
explained his views on nav fighting
to a correspondent Of the Cor'ferc della
Scra OF this city. He said the under
water craft hns r%evolu,'onlzed all the
! old theories and for the present no very
effective method OF lighting this new
weapon has been devised.
Ten months OF war" said the Min
lister OF Marine. have completely
changed all the beliefs which had been
held rega riding the possible action Of the
feet. Yov know very we'll that all the
general stats we're still, under the I'M
presslons caused by the Russo-Japancse
/ wal and as regards naval war theories
under that OF the battle OF Tsushima,
They all believed IN the necessity OF
being prepared for great encounters he
! tween %spuadrons ever more powerful
All efforts were nus directed 10 the
progressive increase OF srmaments, new
methods OF defence and greater speed
for ships.
ut is very natural that the publ,
. .ha,,if ka x.a an Sk al fnaflx.. NVh.. ha. No,
the feet. for the maintenance OF which
we have made such heavy sacrifices
done something? Why does Il not seek
the enemy. rout him OF. OF his coves
IL Is useless to deny that In all thi.
there Is a disappointment. but Ia not tn.
disappointment more bitter for our enc
mics, who we're filled with such ainbi.
tious dreams OF naval preponderance'
1t Is true that we have not been abl'
to destroy their fleets In n great nava
battle. but ne have conquered that
! was the fruit only OF most magnificent
T, victories.
The public must resign itself to Sc,
the greatest fleet In the world film,
a role vastly different from what /
had been led to hope for. II woulS
be absurd TO assert that the chiefs o
the Allies fleets have lacked initiativ,
or courage they have been forced mucl
against their wishes TO adapt themselve
to a method OF warfare Impossible {,
foresee."
Channel Coast safeguarded.
rs there. then. no way to fight tn,
subinarinesr' asked the correspondent.
We must have continual, ~tireless Wig
lance" replied NJ. Augagneur. "W,
hava fakap meac,traa ~ prcroutin,
which have already had notable results
We have. for instance. placed beyon'
all bounds OF possibility a German sub
marine attack on our Channel coast"
DO you believe that the presence O
German submarines In the F;gean vii
delay tho success OF the operations Il
the D~ardanelles-'
The losses caused by the submarine
are certainly to be deplored but the
are not greater than had been f~oreseer
In any case We ave taken full pre-
cautions against a repetition of sue
incidents. The operations will cont!nu
with the same activity as before an
they will be carried on in condition
which We are sure will make succes
certain"
"rhe question has been asked. 'wh
have not the submarines OF the Allie
been able to inf!ct more losses on II
enemy"
NJ. Augagneur rose from his seat
his study and gazing out over the Plat
de In Concorde. replied:
"Who could shoot "A hare out there
But send the most awkward shot
! the country down to the forest at Ran
bouillet and let him fire at haphazar
The chances are ten to one that he vi
hit one. We cannot wait for and purs,
the German flag. because Il is no long,
on the seas unless hidden inside a SUI
= marine. Moreover. YOU canrot use
submarine to fight submarines. All Il
same the Allies have inflicted apprec
able losses on the enemy. We calcula
: that We have sunk about a score
the enemy's underwater craft"
What finally Is the impression ~
: have gained from ten months OF war
THAT victory for us Is certain, b
: that to gain It we have need OF untiri,
perseverance,"