The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-12-19
THAT Is THE EFFECT OF FIRST
LISTS THAT ARMY AND NAVY
MEN HOPE FOR.
NEEDED TO STIR WAR SPIRIT
Younger Naval Officers Are Earnestly
Urging That American and British
Fleets Make Joint Attack on the
Submarine 6assa
by EDWARD D. CLARK.


proportions In a war sense. The An
TILES disaster was the worst n from
the American point of view, and the
army and navy officials here watched
with deep interest the effect on the
country of the receipt of news of the
casualties.
1t seems to be certain hat the army
and navy desire that the American
people shall be both hot and cold when
confronted with the casualty lists. The
desire for GOODNESS is actuated by the
feeling that the country should keep
Its head in time Of trouble, and the de-
sire for the heat of wrath Is n based
on the hope that such a condition will
make for a stern war endeavor on the
part Of the people.
1t Is a hard thing to say, but there
are army and navy officials here who
believe nothing will stir the var spirit
Of this country to a pitch except the
marching of a host of Germans on the
capital of the country. There are 9TH
ers here who say the army and navy
men are wrong; that evidences accu-
mulate daily that even In the previ-
ously befogged places the light of a
pure patriotism and of a determined
spirit is beginning to burn brightly.
The casualty list OF the Antilles was
short as compared to some of the lists
which perhaps 500 will ONE Other
transports may or may not be sunk,
but American soldiers already are en-
gagged In the fighting on the French
front, and inasmuch as these American
divisions were recruited from all parts
Of the country, the sorrow will strike
home everywhere.
Want to Attack U-Boat Bases.
Some weeks ago the possibility of a
Joint attack on the German U-boat
bases was discussed. Within a few
days the discussion has become sharp
and seemingly the younger men of the
United States navy, aided by their
youthful British brethren of the same
service, are determined, If they can,
TO carry the day In behalf of IAN Of
fensive that will count"
The subject was discussed original
ty with extraordinary frankness. Bril-
tons who were here talked about II.
and Americans talked about 1t. The
discussion was by no means entirely
a civilian discussion. The younger
sailors wanted to go to II" and they
still want to 60 to IL.
Whenever there is @ criticism In the
press of Great Britain of the seeming
lack OF Initiative Of Its fleet, discussion
revives In Washington. Some Of the
English papers within the last few
days have been censuring the naval
authorities for not making the Russian
sea losses impossible. The feeling In
places In England is that the British
ships could long ago have REINFORCED
the Russian ships guarding the inner
waters which wash Russia's shore.
1t Is still a matter of common knowl-
edge here that not only most all the
young officers Of the American navy,
but many of the older sea captains be-
iieve In the possibility Of the success
of a smashing blow at one of the Teu-
ton naval bases. The naval officers
know that there Is in England a sea
party which entirely agrees with them,
but the knowledge also Is keen here
that possibly the majority Of sea-going
fighters In England oppose the sug-
gested plan as q foolish one.
May Try q Master Stroke.
There are some signs, rather under
the but signs none the less, that
the American navy Jointly with the
British navy, actually may attempt
some master stroke. II can be taken
for granted that It will not be at
tempted without q force sufficient to
accomplish the end in sight, even IL
the losses Of the attackers are just
as certain to be great.
The argument is that II the greater
damage Is inflicted on the enemy, and
Its submarines can be put out Of bust
ness at their bases, the achievement
viii be worth the loss OF many ships
and many men, for II will put an end
largely to the maraudings of the u
boats, and will insure Americas abil-
ity to continue to supply food and mu-
nitions to the allies and men to our
own lines of battle.
General Haig's advance in Flanders
forms the basis Of one argument
against any NAVY attempt on the
places where the German U-boats At
out. Seemingly some persons have
taken 1t for granted that Haig cannot
do the thing alone. but must be aided
from the sea. There are a good many
s~trategists, or supposed strategists,
here who believe that IL Haig once
can get into the real Of the German
batteries on the coast, the end Of
a. . basic menace to com
merce has come.
Therefore there are some Of the
naval experts, including some of the
younger men who formerly held that
the combined attacks should be made
from the sea, who today think Haig
can 60 1t alone and that cooperation
= the two services will not be nscen
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