Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-10-02
Dreadnought's Superiority


The British censorship has prevent
ed the disclosure of details concerning
the developments. Within the last
three weeks, however, confidential re-
ports to various government depart
ments from representative in Euro
pean capitals of neutral as we'll as
belligerent countries, have been re-
ceived and are now being closely
scrutinized on account OF the bearing
they may have upon the naval policy
Of the United States. They strengthen
the conviction Of naval officers that
the dreadnought still is the mainstay
in warfare on sea.
EneIand's Celebration
According to the reports, destruc-
ton or capture of so submarines ac-
tually had been reported several
weeks ago, and it was regarded as
possible that the number might have
reached 20. A dinner was given re-
Gently in London which, while not a
formal state affair was attended by
high government officials, in celebra-
ton Of the destruction of the 50th
underwater enemy. Reports of the
dinner apparently were suppressed by
the censor in accordance with Great
Britain's policy of keeping Germany
in doubt as to how many of the boats
have been destroyed.
Detecting Approach
The United States government has
learned that in order to combat the
German zone campaign a submarine
telephone has been developed by which
it is possible to detect the approach Of
a submarine by sound from observa-
ton boats or stations planted off shore
connected with points on the main
land.
/ For the capturing of craft whose
presence has not been detected huge
nets have been stretched across the
channels through which the subma-
rines may be expected to attempt to
pass; and in open waters, near steam
ship lanes or in the vicinity of war
ships, net suspended between floats
have been spread broadcast. Armed
patrol bots watch. and when the dis
appearance Of the floats beneath the
water shows that a submarine has be-
come entangled. the patrols congregate
at the place and wait until the victim
comes to the surface, as it inevitably
must disentangle itself. Then it is de-
stroyed by gunfire or captured.
Mines Are Used
A special type Of mine also has been
devised which is laid in large fields.
These mines have proved especially
dangerous to submarines approaching
steamer lanes.
The German methods Of supplying
submarines with oil and provisions,
either at sea or from concealed places
along the coasts of the British Isles.
have been ferreted out and virtually
disposed Of. This compels the boats to
return to their bases at more frequent
intervals and leaves them only a COM
paratively short time in position and
equipped for effective duty.
Hunted by Motorboats
Destroyers, the reports declare. be-
come expert in the game of submarine
hunting and armed trawlers also have
proved very effective on account OF
their speed and ability quickly to get
within easy range Of their victims.
But the greatest single factor, 1t is
said, has been a newly designed and
built fleet of small seagoing motor
boats, armed with one to two guns and
possessing very high speed.
These boats literally swarm over sus-
pected expanses of the water and by an
effectively worked out system of patrol
cover nearly every mile Of the surface in
channels of commerce adjacent to Great
Britain. AS a submarine must frequent
ly rise to renew its air supply and re-
charge the storage batteries by which it
IL propelled when submerged. any in the
territory covered by the scouts 10 almost
certain to be eventually detected and
destroyed.
tcontinued on Page s-cel. y