New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-05

only in case of emergency. But the
fact that they are within easy striking
distance. that the time of emergency
has been prepared against, that TACT
largely increases the effectiveness OF
the adventurous boats.
Stations on Oceans Floor
The submarine supply stations are
anchored in convenient, rocky was tes
Of the ocean floor. There are no tell
tale traces 70 bear evidence against
them. Moreover. they are so arranged
that one not in their secret runs
strong risk, through improper handling,
of becoming a victim Of the high-po
cred explosives that guard them. The
submarine in need of stores seeks one
of these undersea supply depots, raises
IL 20 the surface, replenishes Its ma
terials and sinks and anchors the depot
again.
"Our branch is the most fascinating
Of all the war services" one U-boat
commander boosted. 1t was in party
Of three, an American consular otheer
and myself. The speaker expanded
with comfortable satisfaction IN the
glow Of being able to avow knowledge
Of mysterious secrets. I'VE are devel-
opng a life that rivals that Of the crew
Of Vernc's fancy. There is surprise
after surprise in store for you
But then the war has been one DIS
turbng sequence OF surprises. Inc
American vice-consul suggested that
surprises no longer take one unawares,
that there had grown up such mass OF
wonderful and faith-straining gossip
that each freshly announced reality
seems disappointing in contrast with
Il. &c
With this preface, ! venture to give
Just plain piece Of gossip. There are
innumerable rumors OF things that
never were and of things that never
will be in circulation among the peo-
pies Of the countries at war, the fot-
sam and jetsam Of an abnormally
auickened emotional life. This is the
gossip:
Another German Surprise
The subject was commerce raiders.
Mr. Roth, our vice-consul at Plauen,
was the silent partner of vigorous
war debate, in which the other member
was one of the prominent men OF his
district.
Great things arc brewing" his
friend told him. There has been an
other German surprise prepared for
send out one Of our super-submarines
10 take up the work Of the Emden. dis
guised as surface ship. She will be
equipped with collapsiblc masts and a
stowable superstructure.'
"Of course" Mr.. Roth commented IN
telling me the story, "his story was
gossip. TO my objection that it seemed
TO a bit supercrogatOry genlality, nc
told me that 10 was for the purpose OF
alarming the British feet, Of occupying
a number of its units with vain pur-
suit. and also to convince neutral IS that
Germany had not lost her freedom to
come and 60 upon the surface OF the
seas
This. however. is certain: The com
r1aEders and crews Of the German SUB
marine fleet are filed with wonderful
confidence that they have the power
Of forcing the war TO a successful CON
clgion. The submarine commanders
have long looked forward 20 this as
their opportunity to demonstrate that
Gcrmanv's navy is moro powerful than
bor army. The belief is general IN
Germany that their success or failure
will determine whether It shall be
Tcutonic or an Anglo-Saxon peace.
Best Men Taken for Undersea Worh
Only the best men arc taken for the
undcr-sea service. They are trained
with more attention TO detail than any
other sailors. Their life, in their cruis-
crs of the lower ocean. is trying one;
10 takes on a tone different from any
other life that human beings have ever
tricd. II is tense with nervous strain,
filled with thrill of venture and ad-
venture: with a spice Of foreboding and
a tang of hope; with a sauce Of mys-
terry, of darkness, of lurking hazards
such as 10 wear and to stimulate the
shirts Of its followers TO the utmost
point Of human endurance.
The paths of these boats arc beset
By snare chains, by nets. by sunken
mines. Caught in one Of the nets, the
submarine faces the peril Of exploding
attached mines and blowing itself 70
atoms in it's struggle for freedom. The
newer submcrsibles are not so exposed
-.