Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-20
BUILDING keeps PACE
WITH U-BOAT ACTIVITY
Britain's Construction Already Equal
to DISTINCTIONS, Which Grad
ually Diminish.
AMERICAN NAVY A BIG HELL
Entrance Of United States Causes
English to Bring Greater Eff.
cheney Into Own Naval Operations.
Pollen Praises Daniels.

NEW YORK. December la.--Nrthur
Pollen. the British naval expert. who
has sailed for Europe after SpenGin:
six months in the United States. gave
10 the Associated Press q statcmcn,
ia which he said that the campais
Of the allied navics against the sub
marinc has ut last resulted in keep
ing the warld's ship tonnage from
showing monthly decrease, or will
soon do SO. Mr.. Pollen gives credit
for this success TO tho change In the
chief command carried out by the Eri,-
ish Admiralty last spring and the par
ticipation Of the United States Navy.
Mir. Pollen pointed out that six
months ago !hc German .ubmarinc.
were causing net attrition in the
worlds tonnage ut the rate OF nearly
- per cent annually While the pres
cnt rate OF attrition is difficult 10 csti-
mate. IL appeared that last month Groa,
Britain launched as much tonnae. ~
she lest; the first ship laid down by
the United States since the war has
been launched, and within the next
twelve months substantial portion
of the 100000 tons provided for in
this country will undoubtedly be a float,
Great Britain's ship building program
will similarly increase month b,
month. and. moreover. the campaign
OF the allied nayics against the .Ib-
marine will grow in value week by
week, he said
GERMANI'S FLANK ATTACK
HAS FAILED WITH ALLIES
The Significance OF this to the for
tunes OF war docs not nave TO bc
pointed out" AR. Pollen continued ~.
means that Germany's flank ATTACK on
allied countries has failed. and ,ha,
there is no reason why ultimately the
full military power OF Grca, Britain.
France and Italy and. more important
~ all OF the United States. should no,
bc felt in the western theatcr Of war.
This is tremendous result"
Speaking of the change in the chief
command in the Tritish Admiralty. MIR
Pollen said:
In bringing about this new order OF
Things at Whitehall. the reformers were
undoubtedly assisted. first by the fact
tina, an extremely effective. well equip
ped and brilliantly commanded contin-
sent of American destroyers was AL
ready at work in very important area
Q! 'ne theater OF war, and next BY the
bTitish government waking up to the
truth that the bclliSerency OF America
meant. not only the cooperation OF
very gallant and cnterprising ally. but
the domestication. SO TO speak. of
new and extremely Intelligent critic"
Mr.. Pollen mentioned the consul
'ation with the British Admiralty OF
thrcc distinguished and rcsourecful
American naval officers Admiral
Sims. Mayo and Benson
iMPROVED EFFICIENCY
DUE TO AMERICANS
Through these men American pro-
tcssonal knowledge" he said has
gained tirst-han experience Of the
reality of war. and has been able TO
contribute an impersonal and impartial
Judgment upon the character OF the
operations to be pursued. and OF tho
methods Of command under which they
Should be carried out. | cannot doubt
Tor moment that much Of the i'm
proved efficiency of the counter cam
paisn is due TO this intellectual s,!mu-
lus."
Mr. Pollen paid tribute 10 Secretary
Daniels. of the navy, praising what he
described as the sccretary's polio. Of
obtaining loyal team work. by allow
ms the forces under his orders TO be
directed in strictly professional mat
tc.s. according TO the judgment and ad-
vice OF the singularly able md efficient
officers. that. so TO speak. form his
council OF war.
Advcrtins TO the recent North Sea
raid by German forces Mr.. Pollen
said: The only remarkable thing
about such incidents is not their occa-
sional occurrence. but their rarity.
Were the British or the American navy
In the position of the German navy, |
fancy they would be far more fire.
qucnt.''