Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-10-08
WILL ALLIES OPEN
NAVAL OFFENSIVE?
Speculation Renewed Follow
ing Secretary Bakers Re-
sumo of War Operations.
NAVY HEADS ARE SILENT

Secretary of War Bakers official re-
sumo of the European war operations,
which contained the statement that
"Zeebrugge, Ostend and the system Of
canals leading out of Bruges are threat
ened,' gave rise today to renewed specu-
lation about the possibility of naval
offensive on the part of Great Britain
and the United States against these
points, which are the German U-boat
bases
Incidentally. this information. con.
tained in the Secretary's review of the
war situation. conveyed news that has
not been transmitted by war corre-
spondents. 1t brought home the fact
that American military officers are in
closest touch with military plans of the
allies. and also that the base of much
war news. which long ago moved from
the battle lines to London, now is to be
found. to a marked extent, in Washing
ton.
Beside this frank statement of the
War Department about the military op-
erations of the allies, is the silence oc
the Navy Department about the naval
plans of the allies and of the part the
United States is expected to play in any
movements that are contemplated. This
silence has led to the belief in mafy
OF combined military and naval at
tack upon the submarine bases might
be on the verge of realization.
RAporfs HoJlad Eo1ca
But the Navy Department and Secre-
tary Daniels have emphatically stated
that many of the reports OF the past
week regarding conferences of United
States and British naval officers, the
adjustment of alleged differences be-
tween the heads of the American and
English navies. and accounts of pur-
ported plans to determine upon a fu-
ture joint policy were without official
foundation.
In emphatic and unequivocaI fashion
Secretary Daniels this morning denied
that there was the least truth In II
newspaper story of = conference be-
tween Admiral Mayo and Admiral BEN
son said to be set for this week. he
Secretary stressed this denial by say
ing that Admiral Mayo is not now IN
Washington and will not be here this
week.
But the basis of fact behind these
speculations is not commented upon.
These facts are:
British officers themselves are divided
upon the wisdom of making a naval attack
upon Ostend and Zeebrugge- This division
Of opinion was frankly stated when the
British mission. headed by Mr.. Baifour.
was in the United States 1t was held oy
the older British officers, who were in 6.
position to enforce their belief, that all
naval strategy has shown that an un-
supported naval attack upon land FORTH
cations is not feasible.
Argument Against Effort.
The argument against such an effort
was two-fold-one that the conceaiment
of long-range guns as a part of the coast
fortitications gave the holders of the land
position an unsurmountable advantage
over the attacking vessels. necessarily eN-
posed. It also was pointed out that even
taking the position for an attack would
of the network of mines with which the
Germans have protected the base of their
C-boat operations.
There were officers in England who
held that the risk was worth while,
and that the losses would not be so
great as the continued sinking of ves-
sells by the U-boats. Many American
naval officers are known to hold the
same view.
Now the statement of the Secretary
Of War is held to be significant. be-
cause it discloses a condition which
tends to remove one of the objections
pointed out that with "Zeebrugge,
Ostend and the system OF canals lead
ing out of Bruges threatened, as the
Secretary of War indicates. the two
seaports Ostend and Zeebrugge. would
be in the position of sustaining a COM
bined attack from land and sea.
Nor is that all the German positions
would have to contend with. Activities
of aeroplane raiders from England over
these points is attracting more and more
attention. The great Handley-Paige ma
chimes have been highly successful in
their flights over these bases. and up 10
the latest reports not one has been
brought down. Records of the British
war office indicate they have been eff
fective in destroying supply stores and
railway lines.
Think Time Now Ripe.
According to the naval officers who
favor an effort to nip the U-boat cam
paisn in the bud at it's source. the time
now is ripe, If ever. for such policy.
There is a question of psychology as
well as of military strategy involved.
1t is pointed out that the U-boat cam
paigp is being held up before the Ger
man people as the weapon which will
win the war for them il they will but
supply the military resistance until the
United States and Great Britain's ton
mage is depleted by the submarines. To
hamper the operation Of this campaign
not only would cripple Germany in
sense. il is argued, but would
further discourage the German people
in the invincibiiity of her war leaders
and would open their eyes to the real
part this country is taking in the war.
In this connection attention has been
called to German papers received
through neutral sources in this country,
which seek TO minimize the part Amer
ca can take in the war. stating that
there will not be sufficient transports
for the second section of the draft
army and exaggerating the efficacy Of
The submarine operations