Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-12
NAVY IS H|GHLY ELATED
OVER REPORTS FROM sims
Americans in North Sea and English
Channel Believed to Be Fast Solv-
ing the U-Boat Problem.
FACTS NOT GIVEN TO PUBLIC
Swift Destroyers Outmaneuvering
and Outhitting German Subma-
rines-Absolute Coordination Be-
tween Patrol and Merchantmen.

WASHINGTON. August 11.-Ameri-
can seamcn in the North Sea and Eng
lish Channel are upholdinE the tradi-
lions set for them by John Paul Jones
| III these same waters more than q hun
dred years ago. AS did the old lofty
spared Bon Homme Richard. with
| smooth bore, cutlass and consummatc
handling of the sheets End braces out
sail and Outright the proudest shipr of
Britannia's line when Britannia ruled
| the waves in 1775, SO in 1917 the young
sters from factory and farm, who have
sprung to the brooches of our quick
tirers and into the stokeholds of our
swift. sleek destroyers, are outma-
ncuverinG and outhittins the subma-
rinc. which boosted that it would
starve the anti-Tcuton world.
There is almost gayly about the
Navy Department these days. There
40 whispered confabs among officers
who go away with smiles. The details
Of the almost daily reports Of Ad-
miral Sims are beginning to leak out
into tho service. AS yet. for military
reasons which he considers good, Sec
rotary Daniels has refused all state
ments Of the details Of Admiral Sims's
reports. Yet even he cannot deny that
they are very satisfying.
HUNDREDS OF SHIPS
DARE SUBMARINE PERIL
It+looks as IL the problem OF the sub
marine had been solved. Hundreds Of
ships week bear the Stars and Stripes
through the barred zone, across which
the Kaiser said we might send one
ship a week painted like a barber pole
The Navy Department is adhering to
Its pledge to announce any disaster.
No disaster has been announced. The
answer is that Yankee gunners are
keeping the submarines below the sea-
and that Yankee qdartermnsters are
learning to lay big ships on a course
that would make polo pony jealous
When U-boat commander can safely
get but one squint at a target. less
stable than n wcll-conditioned flea his
deadly torpedoes go astray. since Sms's
squadron learned the game and taught
1t to our merchantmen and transports.
Yankee gunners. when they enter the
barred zone. are taking a shot at any
thing. They admit this. Floating logs.
bits of wreckage, even big sea birds,
everything that bears any resemblance
to periscope. right of feels the crash
Of n three-inch she'll. These things are
shattered because the gunners score
hits. These arc no scratch crews. such
as many OF the British merchantmen
carried. These are among the best shots
of the United States Navy
REAL PEnISCOPES
AMONG THESE VICTIMS
From what has, been lnl, learned OF Ad-
miral Sims's reports. there have been
real q peflsc6pes anon e. these victims.
This is borne out by the apparent eau
ton which the German has learned.
They no longer lie calmly half sub
merged. with engines stopped. and
everything ready for fair launching
of their torpedoes. They must take
their shots on the run and after but
one glance.
Absolute coordination between the
Sims patrol Of destroyers and our
transports and merchantmen has evil
IDENTIFY been attained. 1t is generally
believed that the ships are sent through
previously cleared and always changed
lanes.
Secretary Daniels Is now consulting
with experts as to how much Of the
details OF this story can be made pub
lie. When IT comes out it should be one
to stir the souls OF every American who
knows the navy and believes in his
country.