Evening journal., 1917-05-07
WE MUST NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE MENACE OF
THE SUBMARINE.

THE British admiralty admits that many ships
Of over 1900 tons each were sunk by German sub
marines last week
How many ships OF less than 1900 tons were sunk,
or how great the total tonnage Of ships sunk
reported.
The figures given and the solemn warning TO the
people Of Great Britain which was issued by Lord
Deyonport. the food controller. at the time, ind
cate that the submarine campaign is by no means
failure.
We violate confidence when we say that officials
in the highest places in Washington have illusions
the grave possibilities involved the increased
activity and effectiveness OF the German submarines.
They hope however. that by the application OF plans
already in hand, they will be able to cope with the
situation
The success OF the allied cause which is
cause we'll depends absolutely upon keeping Great
Britain France Italy and Russia supplied with food
and the materials for munitions
II Is perfectly well recognized that II the Germans
have been able TO sink half a million tons OF ships
month during the bad weather conditions OF the late
Winter and early Spring. which they probably have
done. it is quite possible for them to sink million
tons month during the six months Of good weather
beginning.
million tons OF ships month the figure set.
by the Germans when they declared ruthless subma-
warfare against the world
Because they did not achieve this result at once St
has been assumed by those not thoroughly posted on
the situation that the German submarine campaign was
failure.
Nothing could be further from the truth,
ilp TO the submarines have been operating under
the most adverse weather conditions.
There is probably difference OF between so and
100 per cent in the effectiveness OF submarines in
bad weather and in good weather
And the fact is that way has yet been applied 10
fight the submarines successfully. although It is
thought that ways have been discovered.
Without doubt many German submarines have been
sunk captured during the past three months. The
probabilities that the Germans are increasing their
submarine feet faster than the Allies are decras-
ing it,
II the Germans had a thousand submarines in
mission when they made their momentous decision TO
add America to their enemies, they probably have
great many more than that number now
The best information obtainabe is that they have
Standardized submarine construction to the point where
they can turn them out with rapidly which would
have been considered impossible before the war
One story authenticated, but very crcumstan-
tia is that submarine hulls being launched from
German shipyards at the rate OF twenty week
Many OF these are said to be devoted exclusively TO
mne-layng.-
There is not the slightest doubt but all OF the ocean
lanes leading TO Great Britain France and Italy are
being thickly with deadly mines
We Americans upon whom devolve the feeding
OF our European allies and keeping them supplied with
raw materials which vital to them, could make no
greater mistake than TO underestimate the enormity
and the dangers OF task.
Assuming that the Germans do suffer- such dis
aster the western front this Summer that they
will be forced make peace the Allies terms it may
very well happen that by Fall the the world will
depend upon how many cargo ships can send safely
through the submarine and zones that surround
Great Britain, France and Italy.
We expect that a great many ships which start
for the Of Allies will be either by tope-
does or mines.
We must be prepared to answer the German subma-
rne challenge with more ships, and then more ships
and yet more ships
And must be prepared with enormous reserves
of food and steel and coal and trsined sailors
Even il the should be won on land this Summer
ships and sailors and food and and coal will
be magnificent contributions to hungry, impoverished
Europe
But the probabilities that the war will not be won
on land this Summer
The British and French commissioners now in Wash
ington, who know much about the European wal
situation anybody, advising aud urging The
United States prepare for least three years
of war.
They say that the Central Powers sti have great
reserves Of men and material and that while thei
food supplies low they are probably sufficient &c
keep the people going until the next harvest
Delaware must pull her pound in enecting tina,
: mperatiYely-needed result
William Hale Thompson Mayor OF Chicago. should
remember that Blrgomaster not the title used in this
country.
When the Kaiser sings. "I amt never done nothln
20 nobody nobody believes him.
The Kaiser expects every proGerman in Congress ID
do his duty