New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-14
WHY the Deutschland Was Built
Revealed for First Time
Carl w. Alderman Explains That 1t Was Needed to Carry
from America Nickel Steel Required for Krupp Guns
and to Obtain information for Use in War on y. 5.
By CARL w. ACKERMAN

Copyright. 1917. The Tribune Association
Registered ~ accordance ,cifh IN, Copyright
lci. CdnGdd. 1917. The Tribune
lSsociGttoH
The German merchant submarine
Deutschland, the 70O-ton U-boat which
as il sailed into Bremen looked like a
duck with two poles in its back swim
ming up the Weser River, was built by
the Krupp interests to bring war sup
plies from the United States. German
munition plants last year had 20 stop
making, temporarily, i2-centimetre
Guns and other cannon which require
nickel steel because several OF the val
liable minerals and ores needed could not
be obtained in Europe. Either krupp
had to stop manufacturing nickel steel
war munitions cannon, armor plate
and armored Automobiles the ma
terials had 10 be brought from America.
Nearly two years ago n craftsman
in the Kiel Offices of Krupp designed
merchant submarine and submitted
the plans 10 the directors. They were
pigeonholed at the time because these
materials were not desperately needed
and because the government would not
aid Krupp in constructing unarmed L
boats. But last year Krupp needed
nickel, rare ores and minerals which
could be bought only in the United
states or South America. So She
Deutschland was designed, built,
financed, launched and directed by the
Krurp interests to solve the distress
ing military problem of a shortage Of
special ores and rubber.
About this time the German navy
vas having difficulty in obtaining re
rcrts from the German agents in the
United States. Before Captain Boy-hd
was sent back spy reports arrived III
Berlin regularly Sometimes informa-
ton about events here reached the Ger
man navy before they were known az
The American Embassy. But the block
AIDE Of spies was becoming stricter.
Crew Selected by Navy
The German navy. which has been
stirring up anti-American feeling
wherever it could. selected the crew for
TIE Deutschland and placed temporarily
DISCHARGED naval intelligence cheers
aboard TO collect and bring back IN
formation from the United States re-
garding preparedness and public opinion
and 70 make soundings and investiga-
.icns in American waters wherever the
submarines went
The best evidence that Germany has
reached the maximum manufacturing
point Of heavy artillery is the Deutsch-
lands cargoes. They show that Ger
many has reached the height Of her
Military efficiency. that certain raw
materials are lacking which are needed
in gun construction. But this does not
n,ean that Germany is ready TO crumble
within a few weeks or months. Ger
many has plenty Of iron and copper
and sufficient coal to run her ammuni-
ton and war material factories Tor
Years. But 20 make the big 3S5 cent?
metre ship guns, armor plate and the
new type German tank" the finest
Quality Of nickel steel is needed.
The Krupp process of making nickel
steel is secret one. but during visit
10 Krupps' last year | saw these snip
cannon moulded. One of the officers
III ENdTbc tADidlltu Aildb Spiilt AOi -
materials were used. After the naval
battle off the coast OF Jutland the
Navy Department needed more thirty
Fights and more armor plate. Orders
, were sent TO krupp. but the naval OH
GERS who are in charge of this work at
Essen reported that nickel and other
ores were lacking and that unless they
we're procured outside Of Europe con-
structiOn could not begin.
Finest Guns Demanded
Early last year the army intelligence
department reported that the English
were making preparations for an offen-
, siye on the Somme and Ancre rivers.
The General staff drew up plans for
the defence. Demands were made for
more nickel steel cannon which
could hold out during long lombard
nccts. Only the finest Krupp guns
were known TO be capable Of shooting
1000 big shells. The General staff
knew that to fight battle of several
months duration in trench warfare can
non were needed which could be de-
pended upon Tor continuous action.
Krupp was appealed to to furnish
such defences But Krupp replied that
nickel and other materials were needed
and that these could not be obtained
j. in Europe. SO the army and navy sup,
portcd the Krupp directors who started
construction at the Kel wharves where
other government submarines were
being built.
Meanwhile agents were sent 10 tne
United States via Copenhagen TO notify
the North German Lloyd representa-
tives here to purchase supplies and
make ARRANGEMENTS for the arrival Of
the Deutschland at Baltimore. The
Same agents who came here reported 70
tho German secret service Ana; WINE
tho Deutschland was being built and
tried in the Baltic sea. where I'll sub
marines we're first sailed, German
agents here bought supplies for krupp
and collected information for the Ger
man navy.
Just before the Deutschland returned
from is first trip 20 the United states
7 visited the Krupp works a. Essen
Here | VAS given the first accurate m
formation abou. tho merchant sub
uar!nca.
depended on Deutschland.
One dav while was going through
the factory where the $50 centimetre
: ship guns we're being assembled, in
company with other correspondents
from neutral countries. / was told o.
Krupp director that the future con
struc:icn Of these guns depended upon
tho safe return o. the Deutschland.
Although the Deutschland made two
trips II did not bring sufficient valr-
able ores and materials 70 keep the
Krupp works supplied Tor more than n
few months az the most. When these
supplies are exhausted Germany viii
not be able 20 manufacture new niche
ted guns. Tint means that Germany