The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-03
BRITISH LANDING
effective BLOW
AGAINST U-BOATS
Many Sunk or Captured, but
Number Kept Secret.
Claim Seas Most Colossal
Shark Hunt Is Success.
SHOW PLUNGERS NO QUARTER
Sink EN- Rather Than Seize
EN- Is Policy at Present.
Several HarbOrs Full Reveals
Activity of U-BOat Chasers.
SHOW PLUNGERS NO QUARTER
Sink EN- Rather Than Seize
EN- Is Policy at Present.
BY LOWELL MELLETT.

LOnQOn, MdTCn o.-EHSld has
sunk and captured a vastly greater
number of German submarines since
the German submarine war went into
effect, February 1, than any time
preceding that decree.
1t is known that more than one
submarine supply station has been
discovered and put out of business
by British naval vessels.
Evidence is plentiful that the Brit
ish navy, engaged in the most colossal
shark hunt ever known to the high
seas. is making a successful hunt of
it.
In other words, England is getting
tho German submarines. She is get
ting them-and she is getting them;
that is to say she is capturing them
and she is sinking them.
How she is doing it, where and
how many she has got thus far, the
censor does not permit one to tell
but England knows it, and it is safe
to believe that Germany is beginning
to know it. If in no other way, Ger
many is learning it thru the great
fail to return.
Leave 1t to JeIlicoe.
Leave it to Jellicoe," said the Brit
iSh the day of Germany'S announce
ment of unrestricted submarine war
fare. Their confidence in the gray
and grizzled sea mastiff thru whom
Brittany is ruling the waves at this
particular period, appears to have
been justified.
What proportion of the number of
German subma rines mastered by the
navy may be catalogued as captures
and what proportion as sinkings can
not be given. The personal DISPOSE
ton of naval officers just now is to
sink rather than to capture, but the
size of the captive haulS slowed away
in one or two British harbors makes
It difficult to believe that more than
their number has actually been sent
to the bottom.
More than one reason is given for
the unquestioned success of the war
of determination against the subma-
rines. One is that the new .'untersee-
botes" are less efficient of themselves,
by reason of haSty construction to
meet the new program and that their
crews are less efficient because of
hasty training for the purpose.
New Mine Field Barrier.
Whereas many naval officers ar
tcipated meeting something new and
more terrible in the way of under
water fighting when Berlin announced
the new policy of ruthlessness there
is reason to believe they have found
the new boats easier to combat than
were their predecessors.
Another reason, which has good
deal to SubStantiate its authenticity
is that the new and frankly announced
extension of the British mine fields
has thrown barrier across the port s
OF departure of the submarines that
has successfully hemmed in a big por-
ton of those the German admiralty
hoped to send forth. At the same
time this barrier has prevented the
return to home ports of many sub
marines that had been sent out be-
Iore the ruthlessness was announced.
Headed home for a fresh supply of
petrol, it is declared. many a Ger
man submarine has found it impos-
s1ble to get thru the mine fields. Some
have been sunk and some have slippe,i
away to hide.
Put Supply Stations Out of Business.
AT more than one supply station dis
covered and put out of business by
British naval vessels, German sub
marines have turned up to find ali
supplies vanished, some times to be
captured or sunk themselves by wait
ing British craft
For reasons of the admiraltys own
the facts of British success against
the submarines are being kept within
the admiralty. The same course was
followed. it will be remembered, in
the first days of the first big subma-
rlne menace, when as now, the adj
m1ralty did not allow the details of
Its success to become known until long
atterWard. combining such publicity as
was permitted to general statements
OF the character here given.