New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-04
Progress In the War at Sea

The fullest and in some respects the
most encouraging statement hitherto given
out by the British Admiralty concerning
the progress of the submarine war will be
marred in the eyes Of some critics by the
positive refusal of the First Lord TO pub
lish what Lord Beresford calls "real re-
turns" of the weekly losses. To those who
insist that the present method of announc-
ing these losses is ambiguous and mislead-
ing his answer is, in effect, that it is less
important to keep the public constantly in
formed of the exact amount Of tonnage de-
stroyed than to withhold information that
might, and III hisy opinion undoubtedly
would, be of inestimabe value to the
enemy. r ....
The late First Lord, under whose admin
istration the present method Of announc-
ing losses originated, gave the same an
swer repeatedly to the perennial protest;
but an explanation which was regarded as
ridculously inadequate by Sir Edward
Carson's foes will perhaps be accepted
from Sir Eric Geddes. He, too, has studied
German statements and German figures,
and the conclusion he has come to agrees
with the opinion Of his predecessor, that
the enemy is by no means well informed OF
his feats at sea, and that nothing would
please him better than little exact infor-
nation on the very points in question.
The general information with regard TO
the net tonnage losses and the success of
the methods used against submarines Is
cheering enough. Sir Eric Goddess way
Of presenting his facts is not sc sanguine
and glowing as Mr.. Lloyd Georges, but
his figures are upon the whole clearer
and less subject to any possibility of mis-
apprehension. In giving the total net re
duction IN British tonnage as Ii per cent
he supplied definite information of unques-
tionable value. Again, in the assurance
that as many submarines have been de-
stroyed in the last three months as during
the whole Of last year it is evidently
implied that the measures used to combat
the menace are proving fruitful. and Sir
Eric Geddes plainly states that "in spite
of the increased number OF ships passing
through the danger zone there has been a
steady reduction in the damage done
II would be ridiculous to pretend that
the damage done is not serious. But it
may be noted that the net tonnage loss
since the beginning of the war is consid-
erably less than some estimates for the
current year only-estimates founded on
the figures given out last August by the
Prime Minister. The value of the figures
given by Sir Eric Geddes is that they leave
no room for uneasy conjecture or for ex-
aggerated hopes. We have now clearer
idea than ever before how matters stand,
though it is TO be remarked that some ship
owners doubt the accuracy Of the statistics.
As to the reorganization at the Ad
miralty, we shall probably hear more on
that point before long. Sir Eric Goddess
announcement that important changes
have been made in the arrangements for
dealing with Admiralty business viii be
generally welcome. Reorganization began
before he came to his present Office, and
will doubtless be FASTENED under his d.
rection. Sir Eric Geddes has great rcpu-
tation as cutter of red tape, and may
overcome the difficulties that some of his
predecessors have tried to. deal with in
vain. Lord Beresford once said that II the
obstacles encountered at the Admiralty
were hard they might be smashed. But in
describing the official Immortality en-
countered there in his time he could think
of nothing but solid breastwork built Of
bales Of wool. 1t is against this kind Of
thing that Sir Eric Goddess friends count
on him.