Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-10-13
U-BOATS SEEK SAFETY
HERE FROM FOES NETS,
SAYS DOCTOR ABBOTT
Physician Back From War
Fronts Declares Submarines
Are Driven Out of
Channel
WAS IN vERDUN ZONE

Germany IL sending her submarines across
the ocean 10 attack the Allies commerce of
the Atlantic coast because the British have
perfected an ingenious system whereby they
nave already succeeded In capturing a hum
dred Of the underwater boats. according to
DR.. Frank C. Abbott, OF the jefferson Hos
pital stan, who returned TO this city today
after more than years service in the
French war zone. back OF verdun
The successful raid made by the Ger
man submarine C-5s last Sunday is be-
lieved by Doctor Abbott TO be only a fore
runner OF what II 20 come. The German
military authorities have given evidences
OF the beginning OF a ruthless submarine
campaign In n hnal effort 20 smash the
enormous ammunltions and food supply
commerce being carried on between the
Allies and neutral countries. he said.
Doctor Abbott said his information was
nrst-hand, coming from authoritative
sources and what he himself has seen.
while crossing the English Channel on his
homeward trip, three weeks ago his ship
was held up by British destroyers. which
were In the act OF capturing three German
submarines that had just been trapped in
the great steel nets which are stretched
clear around the British Isles.
Doctor Abbott whose homo is at sos
Carpenter street. has been entioned sew
eral times In dispatches sent to this coun-
try by prominent Frenchmen. who mar
veled At his skill while he was a surgeon
IN the base hospital at Vendome, France.
Doctor Abbott was the recipient of a silver
medal from the French Red Cross in recog-
milton of his services.
ALMOST 100 CAPTURED
Yes. It is true that the British have
captured a good many German subma-
rlnes," said the doctor. II was informed
on good authority that almost a hundred
are now In the hands of the Allies I heard
that some Of the submarines are being used
by the British.
England has perfected an ingenious sys-
tenn whereby II is able to detect the pres
ence of n submarine in any locality. and
| once they are located they are easily cap
tured l cannot tell you the exact manner
in which they accomplish this. OF course.
| you have heard of the steel nets Well.
besides the nets they have the thousands
| OF small boats continually patrolling the
waters about the British Isles. and then
there is another method OF which I cannot
| tell you. However. they have at last per-
fected a method OF stopping attacks close
| to their shores, and this, 1 believe, has
driven Germany to the alternative of send
| ing the U-boats to American waters or Civ
| ing up the attacks The attack on yes.
| sells OF Nantucket on Sunday. 1 believe. Is
only the beginning of a more concerted ef'
| fort.
| Speaking of his work in France. Doctor
| Abbott said he found plenty TO keep hin
occupied from one end of the day to the
other
II am convinced that the war will moi
| end for at least another year" he declared
| The French are fighting for a principle
| They are fighting with dogged determine
tion and they see nothing but victory ahead
| They don't speak of when the war will
| end !: they are sure 1t will end with victor!
| on their side
Don't understand me TO say that the.
| wouldn't like TO see the war end. Th
| would be far from tho truth. The Frencl
| are broken in health and spirit. Afte
more than two long years of wearled fght
| ing in those trenches they are even dis
heartened. They know their country hal
| been devastated. that thousands OF thei
| comrades have been killed and that the,
| themselves might at any moment be calle'
on to give up their lives for France, but the!
are determined that the 'Boches' shall no
win the war. They will hght until the ver'
last drop of blood has been spent. The!
are willing to pay the price.
"The worst cases are those who hav'
been 'gassed or disabled by liquid fire
Such cases are pitiful to look upon. The!
| do not respond to treatment and their dealt
is slow and agonizing one. They plea'
| with the doctors 20 chloroform or shoe
them that they might find relief in death
Doctor Abbott almost lost the thumb o
his left hand when II became infected Will
performing an operation.