The Washington times., 1916-01-11

The Secretary of the Treasury has
been devoting much Of his time lately
to consideration of the shipping prob
lem He has gathered vast amount
Of information from all over the world,
touching on world conditions as well
as American; and his appearance be-
fore the Congressional committees to
discuss the shipping measure is expect
ed to be the signal for shedding much
new light on 1t.
Just at present people concerned
about protecting the foreign market for
American products are watching the
development OF the Suez and Panama
canal situations. For practical pur-
poses, these two bitches, which are the
keys to the greatest labor-saving routes
Of the world, are regarded as almost
out OF business. This, by adding to the
distances the ships must travel; de-
creases vastly the carrying capacity OF
the worlds shipping, already depleted
sadly in tonnage, just at n time when
there is abnormally heavy demand on
It.
But this is not the only difficulty.
The submarine warfare has been trans
ferred from the, zone about the Brit
ish Islands to the Mediterranean. Naval
authorities declare that the allies are
going to experience far greater diff
Culties coping with submarines there
than in the British waters and the
German ocean. There is plenty OF deep
water throughout the Mediterranean
compared to the region about Britain "
, is very deep. In the waters OF Britain.
there are vast shallow areas IN when
navigation of undersea craft Is more
difficult and dangerous than. IT would
be in deeper waters. Submarines there
have been wont to drop TO the bottom
in shallow places and he on the ocean
bed. This enables them to conserve
fuel. but the real reason for IT is that
thew are compelled to travel far from
base and in shallow water are carer
lying on the bottom than cruising about.
In the Mediterranean they can Keep
moving safely; and moreover. 1t is
easier TO find reasonably secure bases
from which they may operate
Suez Canal Useless.
| TtIs adds Immensely. according to
naval men. TO the difficulty OF CAPTURING
them. The submerged nets tnat nave
been so effective in British waters VIII
he comparatively useless in Medlterran-
ear conditions. New methods must be
devised for dealing with them. and 1t is
believed they can never be so effective
" handled in these waters az they were
In the British war zone.
Thousands and thousands OF very fsst
motor boats CARRYING small guns. and
directen nv aeroplane scouts: nave
served to make submarininE dinicult or
impossible in the British waters. 10
Patrol the Mediterranean In the same
fashion would require another Neet OF
| these craft, which cannot be provided
except through months or effort ana
vast expenditure. Italy. France ana
Britain arc understood TO be engaged
with feverlsh haste in turning out such
boats.
| drcds of thousands O. them from tne
| British waters to the Mediterranean.
| II it conId be done secretly: but this -
regarded as impossible: to transfer them
with German knowledge, would De 70
invite the Germans to resume their SUP,
marina warfare in the unprotected
waters around the tight little, island.
So 4 Is considered certain that the
| Mediterranean will continue for a long
time a fruitful field of submarine con-
quest for the Germanic navies.
While this Is going on, the Suez
| canal will be as useless as II 1t were
filled uD or wrecked by an earthquake
! Tine excessive insurance rates ON vessels
taking that route. whether belligerent
or neutral. hav0 already compelled
many lines to withdraw their boats and
send them around the cape: Eel, Ine +; rae rates
| Consequently little hope is entertained
for an early relaxation of the heavy
pressure for bottoms.
British Rule Hurts.
Another factor that has developed to
add difficulty in providing ships for
American commerce. lies in the recent
regulations adopted by the British au-
thorities, requiring that every vessel
plying between Britain and either the
colonies or America shall use a fixed
proportion of its cargo space In carry
/ ing foOdstuffs. At present this rule Is
Il aQnaRtnliV wheat.
understood here that it may at any
1 time be expanded to include various
| other foodstuffs.
British receipts of food materials have