The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-03-31
Sank 7S1,50O TONS IN
MONTH OF FEBRUARY
German Naval Secretary says Sue
cess Has Been Large and losses
Small In U-Boat Campaign.
TELLS OF PAINFUL NECESSITY"
says Germans Regret That They Arc
Compelled In Sink Neutral ships.
Charges England with Campaign to
Deceive Ncutrais As 10 Losses.

/ Berlin, via Sayyille, March 3d.
month of February more than three
quarters OF "A million tons of ship
ping the exact figure being 7S1,500
tons. Secretary Of the Navy Eduard
Capelle stated in confidential re-
port 10 the main committee of the
rcichstag today
He said the number OF new sub
marines sent 10 the barred zones by
far exceeds the number OF U-boats
lost He sum <arized the effect OF un-
restricted Submarine warfare by say
ing;
Great successes and very small
losses"
The German navy, from the COM
mander-in-cbi to the last stoker,
are thoroughly convinced that U-boat
warfare Will end the conflict VIC
toriously for Germany. the marine
minister asserted. Referring to
neutrais lac said
\ Painful Necessity"
1T lis painful for our sea forces
to sink neutral ships. 1t is "a hard
but absolute necessity"
4 summary of the most important
points of Admiral Capelle's report. as
given out by the official Overseas
News agency, follows:
The result obtained by unrestrict-
ed C-hoat warfare in February
amounts 10 ISL 500 tons This was in
the shortest month and was obtained
in spite of unfaVorable weather and
I floating ice at the mouths of the
rivers. continual fog and long nights
/ The results obtained under these
conditions opens the best prospects
for the future. the more so since not
4 to the front Is steadily Increasing, but
Also the boats themselves become
more and more efficient
"All reports published by the hos
| tile and part of the neutral press
about the destruction of numerous
Submarines are inventions. On the
contrary the losses are smaller than
had been calculated by the navy from
the outset.
Increase Exceeds losses.
The increase in the number OF
submarines on the front in February
and March by far exceeds the losses
| AS to the total numbe of boats the
number of submarines lost Is alb
t. ITO be sure. our enemies make the
greatest efforts to master the sub
marine danger. If the submarines
could be conquered with speeches In
parliament and by n stir In the news
papers. then. of course, they would
have disappeared long ago.
] "Foi us 1t is enough to oppose the
thpeechess OF the enemy with the facts
4Nrest successes ard very small losses =
No.
reports ON hand so far, also com.
menced very we'll, although there al.
ready is a consid cradle decrease ir
navigation in the barred zones anc
the submarines meet much fewer yes
sells.
This is due primarily 10 the at
titnde OF the neutrals. The navy
welcomed the fact that neutral navl.
CATION avoids the barred zones. i
Is painful for our sea forces to sinh
neutral ships; hard. but absolute
necessity
The navy hopes that the emphatic
warning not to ply In the barred
zones will be more and more under.
stood and observed by neutral ship.
ping circles
says England Deccives Ncutrals.
Our enemles--above ali, ENGLAND
are trying with all means, with
"a Z ANA stAdlioUSt Win EeGutStf
and promises, with concealing ant
} masking Of ship losses and with false
statements about the destruction oil
i German submarines, to induce neu-
trails further to expose their lives ir
order to keep up tho supply in Eng.
land
On February % the British first
lord OF the admiralty. Sir Edward
Carson. declared in the parliament.
" i shall never consent to the con.
Cealmcnt OF losses.
"A few days later the publication
of Losses MAS stopped The -reasor
for this is evident.
'Neutrals must make their own de.
cisions- We must and we can await
their further resolutions with perfect
calm.
THE German navy, from the fleets
commander 10 the last fireman are
convinced that the task undertaken
will be continued until we are victo,
rtous"