New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-24
30 British Ships
Sunk Last Week;
u. S. Fleet Praised
tBy Cable 10 The rnbunel


in succession losses to U-boats were
far below the German standard and
less than half those Of the high mark.
Though four more British merchant
vessels were sunk by German mines
and U-boats last week than the week
before, according to the Admiralty fig
ures issued here to-day, only thirty OF
all classes were sent to the bottom.
Eighteen Of these were Of more than
1900 tons, nine of less than that ton
mage. and three fishing craft The
week before cnly twenty-six vessels
were sunk.
These lcsses are we'll under the
alarming totals recorded last month,
when the high percentage of Ito OF
all vessels entering or clearing from
ports in the United Kingdom was de-
stroyed. For last week the percentage
figures out as .49, an increase of only
.O4 over the figures Of the previous
week.
The American destroyer Aotilla
snarcs in the credit for holding down
the shipping losses, and Kennedy
Jones's recent address, in which he
announced a new method Of combating
vhc submarine, is recalled. So is the
German prophecy that Great Britain
would be ION her knees" by June 1.
During the week ended Sunday 1854
vessels arrived at ports in the British
Isles and 1859 sailed-the average re-
cent weekly movement. The number Of
British merchant ships unsuccessfully
attacked was nine. which. taken in con-
junction with the figures Of loss. indi-
Gates less activity on the part Of the
U-boats.
That the British naval authorities,
however, are not inclined to become too
optimistic over the situation is indi-
Gated by a statement made by one Of
them to The Tribune to-day.
There is no royal road to end the
submarine campaign" he said. ut is
just a question of gradual improve
ment in methods and an increased num-
Der Of guard ships. The American de-
stroyers are a tremendous aid to US
unfailing in the persistency and quick
wittedness Of their patrol. They are
thoroughly conversant with our meth
DDS, and we hope they will soon begin
teaching US new tricks. We ourselves
are working on the basis Of the old
American adage to keep everlastingly
at it,
"This weeks record is again good,
compared to those Of a few weeks back,
but the submarines are still far from
being mastered. The lower figures may
be due to q lull, or they may show the
effect of decentralization among the
U-boat crews, but the danger is just as
great as ever.
ave don't wish TO 90 further than TO
say that the situation is improved
whether temporarily or not We don't
know. We anticipate no weakening IN
the submarine attacks for long time
to come. We shall not say the danger
is removed until not s'"sie opo~'
remains in or on the sea.
"The German General Staf continues
to proclaim to their people that tney
will be able to hold the western line'
while the submarines finish on France
and England. The date Of the Allies
surrender has been var'ously postponed
from April /, until now IT IS set a.
October |. But the fact remains that
internal difficulties and a shortage OF
food make all Germany unwilling to
face another winter campaign, They
will use every effort 10 render the
Allies impotent before the coming fall.
III is futile TO be misled by any sue
cesses toward the belief that the sub
marine campaign is likely to diminish
in virulence. On the other hand, as
the months 90 by, they will attempt 10
wage it more savagely than ever.