The weekly soliphone., 1915-07-09

according to reserve officer Of the German navy, who is under stood to be cognizant of the inten- tions of Admiral von Tirpitz, chlef of staff of the German admiralty. The plan as outlined provides for the establishment of submarine bases off the Canadian coast with a view to sinking every vessel leaV- ing Halifax and Quebec for British ports.
 The scheme can be carried out, the Germans are sure, without any question arising as to the legality of the proceeding or the violation o1 the Monroe doctrine. The latter cannot be affected, it is pointed ont because it can be shown that the establishment of such bases would be in the enemy's territory and would not be done with view to territorial conquests. ALSO no question of the neutrality or the Tinted States would be involv- ed
 In we'll informed German circles rumors of an important submarine campaign against contraband laden ships have been rife. It has been generally known that von Tirpltz has bent his energies to devising methods by which his undersea fleet can prevent the great quantl- ties of munitions shipped from Can ada to England from reaching thelr destination.
 It is freely admitted also that Germany is loath to risk another such controversy with the United States as that brought on by the Lusitania affair.
 That the German plan is not on- ly feasible but comparatively sim ple is conceded by Simon Lake, president of the Lake Torpedo Boat Company of Bridgeport, Conn. Off, ficers of the United States subma- rine service think it is the logical step for Germany to take.
 Further, United States naval of ficers in command of war vessels say that there is little that could be done to thwart the Germans The only methods that could be em- ployed, they say, are embraced III the use of destroyers and aircraft, neither of which has proved highly effective.
 Germans who profess to be aware of the intentions of the admiralty declare that there is no doubt that the campaign will be under way very soon and are certain that 1t will succeed. More than that, they see no objection to talking for the reason that they do not believe England can prevent the consum- nation of von Tirpitz's plans, how ever much the British admiralty knows about them.
 Since the beginning of the war, and especially since the establish ment in February of a war zone around the British isles, the bulk of arms and other munitions of war has been shipped via Montreal and Quebec. This has been partic- ularly true of shipments of wheat, horses and mules. Since the Lusi- tania was sunk many business men of the United States have preferred routing their products through Canada to shipping them on steam CTS leaving ports in this country.
 Another feature that has made Germans especially desirous of sta tioning submarines off Canada is the opportunity that would thus be afforded of sinking transports carrying Canadian troops to Eng land and France.
 Information gathered by the Tri- bune indicates that the campaign, when started, will be conducted along the following lines: A flotil- la of the largest and most power ful German submarines will be sent across the Atlantic ocean to blockade the two principal steam ship routes between Canada and Europe. The shortest route leads through the Strait of Belle Isle, which connects the Gulf of St. Lawrence with the Atlantic. The other great waterway is through Cabot Strait, which separates New Foundland from Nova Scotia.
 Those who profess to be in pos session of this new plan of the German admiralty point out that the latest type German submarines have cruising capacity of at least 5000 miles. They say that it will be possible for these boats, some of which are between 300 and 400