New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-10
SAFER and Surer to Raid
Coast" Says Embassy
Official.
SEES NO CAUSE FOR
TROUBLE WITH u. S.
Hidden Bases Denied
mot Needed; Nantucket
Near as Mediterranean"

Washington. Oct. Diplomats OF
the Central Powers are exultant over
the success which has attended the at
tacks of the German U-boats off Nam
tucket. They see no cause for interna-
tional complications. In explanation OF
why the attacks were made so close to
the American shore they point to the
number Of vessels sunk.
"The excitement about the torpedolng
of ships off Nantucket is due probably
to the nearness of the attacks" said an
embassy official of one of the Central
Powers tonight. Surely the same
thing has been happening right along
in the North Sea, in the Mediterranean,
even in the Arctic Sea-right along.
Every day we read in the papers
that certain ships, of such and such
tonnage. have been torpedoed. but the
crews saved. All that is new about the
attacks il that they have for the first
time been made not far fron. the Amer
lean coast.
Taking Fewer Chances.
ave are naturally much pleased with
the success of the move, the wisdom OF
which has been demonstrated. Near
tho shores of America, at least for
time, our submarines can operate with
out danger from the great feet OF
trawlers which Great Britain has used
against us in the North Sea. Also,
there are fewer large vessels Of the
British navy. so that there is consid-
cradle less danger TO US, and at the
same time the chances for destroying
ships OF the enemy and ships loaded
with contraband are much better"
But would il not permit the subma-
rine 10 cruise much longer while actu-
ally in search of prey, and waste less
time in going back TO 4 base for more
torpedoes and other supplies, If they
attacked the same vessels in the Allan
tic near Great Britain" he was asked.
perhaps. but the increased danger
from British naval vessels and trawlers
would more than make up for IT," he
replied However. the distance from
Germany 20 the waters off Nantucket is
but little greater than the distance
from Germany TO the Mediterranean, by
the route which our boats would be
obliged 10 take, with a wide detour
many attacks in that sea, just as we
have made few in the Arctic. We
want the Allies 70 realize that their
shipping is not safe anywhere
by these few attacks we have not
only destroyed enemy property and
cut off contraband which would have
aided them, but we have definitely in
creased the cost Of every pound OF
supplies shipped from now on for
while at least. This has been caused
by the boosting OF the insurance rates
on goods shipped on ships flying
enemy flags and on contraband shipped
In neutral bottoms"
Denies Bases on Coast.
"lt is reported that the Germans
may have a submarine base some
where along the Atlantic coast" was
suggested.
II hardly think that probable he
replied "ln the FIRST place, IL would
secret. and its discovery would lead,
of course, TO international complica-
tions. In the second place, 10 is UNI
necessary. The Deutschland, which |
examined. had cruising radius Of
round trips TO American waters, espe-
cially as waiting in the lanes Of com
merce for ships TO come along does
not use up gasolene very rapidly"
The United States government has
taken the position with Great Britain
that her cruisers could not lie off
American ports waiting for ships, thus
practically establishing a sort OF
blockade Would not that apply to
the activities of your submarines"
Il am glad you asked that" was the
quick response. 81 would like to read
what the British Ambassador, Sir
Cecil Spring Rice, had to say in re-
spouse 10 that contention by the
United States. In his note OF March
20. 1916. to the Secretary OF State he
said in parts
"'ln this connection | may be per-
mtted TO point out that the number
Of enemy merchant ships now shelter
ing in harbors Of the United States
makes il necessary for his majesty's
government to maintain their cruisers
In = position where they can have the
best chance of capturing those ships
II they should attempt TO escape