New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-31
Only 2l British Ships Sunk;
Scale of Losses Is l
in 300
Berlin Tones Down
Its Celebration
United States Destroyers'
Aid Valuable in Fight
ing Menace

London, May 30.-With a dwindling
average of destruction for a month,
German submarines last week sank
fewer British merchant vessels than in
any week since the ruthless" CAM
paign opened on February I. Friday
practically ends the four months in
which Germany declared the subma-
rine war would bring England to her
knees.
According to the Admiralty figures
issued here to-day. eighteen ships OF
more than /, 500 tons, one vessel Of less
than that tonnage and two fishing craft
were sunk during the week ended Sun
day.
The only weekly figures comparable
with these are those for the week ended
April 8, when seventeen large vessels.
one small one and six fishing craft
were sunk. There is no way Of COM
pairing the tonnage destroyed, but IN
proportion to the number of ships en-
tering and clearing from ports in the
British Isles last weeks percentage OF
destruction was decidedly lower than
even that for the week ended April 3.
Last weeks percentage was little less
than O.35; the lowest percentage pre-
viously recorded by the U-boats was
0.43. go,
In the "black week." which ended
AnriI %. when forty large vessels and
fifteen smaller ones were sent 10 tne
bottom. il rose TO 10, ard during the
frst two weeks of the present cam
paign it reached 1.Oi.
Seventeen Ships Escape
Including ships of all nationalitiesi
z asT merchant vessels, aside from fish
nc craft. entered or sailed from ports
IN Great Britain during the week ended
Sunday Seventeen of the British mer.
cbant feet were unsuccessfully attacked
hv the U-boats, indicating both less
sctive and less deadly operations.
Tho week before last thirty ships
of all classes were sunk. The loss
IN larre ships was eighteen, the same
as last week, but the loss in smaller
vessels was nine and in fishing crat'
Several causes are given here fol
.bo continued decrease OF U-boa'
"frightfulness." 1t is possible that
ncw devices are contributing to the
canturo or destruction of German suo'
marines, but, if so, the fact is being
concealed. However, summer weather
and the long days favor the britisn
naval counter offensive and the Admi'
raltv is taking full advantage Of these
conditions. II is thought by experts
tbat .he U-boats cannot increase tEelt
toll during the summer season.
American Destroyers Help
II ia also noted that the American
eot;lIa of destroyers is doing good
service in the submarine hunt. botr
actively and by releasing for over
hauling British and French destroyers
the efficiency Of which has become i'm,
naired by long service. A high nava
autbority told The Tribune this al
ternofn that the cordial cooperation
! between the British and American
foets was extraordinary. Theyworkeo
together IN harmony as the unit ane
had q mutual admiration 1or eacn
others efficiency
Reports are abroad in neutral coun'
tries that official word has gone forth
in Germany to tone down celebration
among the populace over U-boat vic
tories" in view of the fact that the
submarine .U campaign is failing. Ever
Emperor william, in his recent ad'
dress to the troops on the Arra'
front, did not have much encourage
r,ent to give in this direction.
"Our comrades in submarines he
said. "are doing everything possible
70 cut off the enemy's sources OF liv-
inc" His remarks are not interpret
cd he,e as a chant of victory.