The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-02-18
KEoKUK, IOWA, THURSDAY, FEB. 1s, 1915
ENGLAND
BY Ed |. Keen. United Press Cor,

respondent
LONDON, Feb. 1s.-"Der Tag
dawned cold, wet and gloomy through
out the British Isles. A driving rain
swept over the various harbors and
checked outside dock labor, but there
was no halting Of any sailings any
whore. British inperturbality was
utterly unaffected by the inauguration
Of the German submarine blockade,
EnaIishmen told each other that there
would be losses, but they will be re-
celved as "ali In the game" and there
is the most supreme confidence that
the British navy will prevent any In
reference with the big liners or the
food ships.
There is a minority of Britlshers
who believe that the entire affair 10 a
gigantic bluff and that Germany will
do no more In the future than she has
in the past with her submarines.
Private advices from Berlin from
really dependable sources declare that
Germany has not less than 100 sub
marines available for service In the
war zone. Ever since last August the
public and private yards have been
working day and night adding to the
submarine flotiIla. All Of the new
craft are Of the fleet type with capac-
ity Of remaining away from the base
for three or four weeks at time and
equipped for phenomenal long trips.
These vessels are expected to operate
off tho Irish coast and at the entrance
to the channel.
Typical Indication Of the light heart
edness of the average British club
man wac the betting in the clubs last
night where many wagers were laid at
three to one that not a single mer-
chantman would be sunk before mid.
night tonight.
There has been absolutely no inter-
ruption Of channel service or general
coastwise shipping Passenger service
to and from Holland has been tempor.
ariIy suspended because companies did
the safety OF anything but their own
crews. The freight sailings will con-
tinue four times week as usual.
All navlgabie waters about the Brit
ish Isles are today being patrolled by
the greatest fleet OF war craft that
was ever placed In active service. The
complete destroyer and torpedo boat
! flotilIao, augmented by heavily armed
tmerchantn1en and hundreds OF traWi'
| ers and mine sweepers are steamine
to and fro along the shipping lanes
watching for the top oT perlscope to
appear above the water. Substantial
rewards have been offered by the var.
iious shipping associations to officers
and crews OF merchant ships or traW!.
ers not In government service that
sink submarines. Many Of the trawt.
ers have had their bows reinforced In
order that they may ram hostile sub.
! marine on sight.
A great French patrol Is also on
! duty along the French coast. All
/ coast towns are under control Of the
military and unusual precautions are
being taken because II is believed
! either an aerial raid, or Invasion may
! be among possibilities Of German ac-
tion.
! The only instances Of sailors funk,
T, ina on account of German threats, was
when five members Of the crew OF
1 tho steamer Lapwing refused to sail
for Amsterdam unless the captain
/, agreed to raise their wages and pay
their widows each $50 pounds In the
event Of their being drowned. The
! captain had them arrested and in po-
| lice court each was fined fifteen shilI.
ings.
A competent naval authority In dis
! cussing the blockade told the Uniteu
/ Press that 1t would require not less
! than 400 submarines on constant duty
to make the blockade effective.