The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-07-05
U-BOAT TOLL
AGAIN SHRINKS
Decrease Is Attributed to Sub
marine Trap for Trans
ports.

LONDON. July 4-Field Marshal Won
Hindenburg's prediction on his return
from Austrian headquarters yesterday
that Germany's enemies would be forced
| to make peace in the not too distant
| future II the Germans held their ground
until the submarine had done its work
| received prompt and convincing reply
In the weekly figure OF sinkings of ves-
! sells issued to-day. The total is the
smallest in several weeks
The conclusion has been reached that
| 1t Is impossible for the submarines to
maintain an average OF slnkings which
will have any appreciable effect on the
! overseas communications OF the Allies
1t is believed that the German sub
marines extraordinary effort to sink
some of the American transports on their
way to France were partly responsible
for the smaller shipping losses this week.
1t is believed n great many submarines
took part in the unsuccessful ambush of
| the Americans.
| The weekly shipping summary shows
that fifteen British merchant ships Of
more tlan 1900 tons were sunk and
| Ave vessels of less than that tonnage.
Eleven fishing vessels were lost.
sixteen ships Escape.
| In this period the arrivals at British
ports were 2,745 and the sailings were
2,S4S. Sixteen British merchant ships
were attacked unsuocessfully.
Won Hindenburg's boasting pronounce
ment has been read with considerable
interest In Admiralty circles. The gen.
eral view Is that it was issued chiefly
with a view OF bolstering up German
sentiment.
The phrase IF we hold our ground
until the submarine war has done its
work" has pleasant sound to the Brit
ish naval ear, for the navy is now
firmly convinced that the submarine war
has failed and that the anti-submarine
measures are constantly growing in ef-
fectiveness
The British Admiralty maintains Sc.
crecy regarding the submarines sunk
but the pursuit has become so lively thai
U-boat shows its periscope in Channe
waters only with the greatest risk. II
Is impossible to keep entirely secret such
incidents as that of an oil driven de.
stroyer which a few days ago swept into
port with a portion OF a rammed sub
marine hanging triumphantly from hel
prov.
One of the best evidences of the sue,
cess of the Atlantic patrol was the safe
arrival Of the American transports at g
French port.
Capelle Sees Victiry Assured.
Admiral Won Capelle, German Minister
Of Marine. made an optimistic sta tement
on the progress of the submarine wal
in AZ a'discussion OF the political situation
in the main committee of the Reichstag
says a despatch from Berlin. The Ad
miral said the navy had the fullest con
fidence in the future of the submarin,
campaign. and added:
1.-THE continuously increasing enemy
efforts to overcome the submarine dan
ger by counter measures are more thar
equallzed by the continually growing
number OF submarines set in operation
against the enemy.
Submarine losses now. as hitherto
are kept within moderate limits. and al
reports to the contrary are untrue
There is not the least reason for doubt
ing the success OF the submarine war.
DIR. Karl Helfferich, Secretary of tn
Interior. produced figures to show tina
as a result OF the submarine war within
predeterminable period England
available tonnage will be inadequate 4
her needs
The British Admiralty report show
the week covered to have been one O
the best since ruthless submarine war
fare commenced in February. On onl,
three previous occasions has so small
number of ships over !, 800 tons been re
ported sunk. In the week of March I
the number was 49, March 4, IA, ant
June 8. IS, the same number reportet
this week.
The total of merchant vessels of al
classes sunk last week has been smalle
on only four occasions. This week.
total is 20. In the week of March l.
the total was II; June 3. IS; April 8
10, and May 81. 10. In two of thes
four weeks however the showing wa
not actually as good as this week. 70
the proportion OF ships over 1000 ton
that made up the total was larger thai
last week.