The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-09-11
SEAS OF THE WORLD
PATROII4ED BY ALLIES

New York. Sept. t0.--On the seas of
the world the fighting vessels of the
allied nations maintain the most gi-
gantic and effective blockade ever en-
forced since the triremes of Caesar
overrsn the Mediterranean in the
campaign that preceded Pompey's an
Inhalation.
In this sea that has swallowed the
hulks OF the natives OF Carthage.
Greece and Rome the "camoufiaged"
units of the mightiest engines ever
set afloat by a man meet in a constant
test OF skill and daring. The Anglo
French Greece Italian feet maintain
a stringent blockade of every mile
of Mediterranean coast line. Despite
the alertness of the allies in this sea
the submarines Of the central empires
find her their most profitable hunting
ground. The kingdom of Italy Is
| suffering the throes of a serious coal
shortage due to the severe losses of
italian shipping. supplemented by
neutral and British shipping, In these
waters. Indeed, the sinkings are so
numerous and-vital that-A- serious
Italian offensive may be always fore
stalled by the undersea power of the
German empire. Out of one feet OF
coal ships sailing from Genoa to Idv-
/ erpoo1 and numbering twelve units.
| only five returned to their home port.
| In the eastern Atlantic and the
| English channel there Is in effect the
! most extensive and impenetrabfe
/ blockade OF any. During the day,
| British and French scout ships nose
| their precarious way among the shall
| lows in close proximity to the Ger
man coastal waters watching for a
sign OF enemy forces, These waters
are thickly strewn with mines, both
nations mining extensively to suit
| their program of attack or de-
Tense. Sporadic raids by German
/ light units are occasionally success
| full, but these are becoming rarer
and rarer. Steel nets are also being
used by the British navy to combat
the submersihles. These, in spite OF
all reports to the contrary, are still
In an experimental stage and are OF
doubtful effectiveness, especially since
/ a submarine has been evolved with
machinery for the destroying OF the
most powerful nets now in use by the
admiralty.
with the coming OF night and
darkness, the schedule is altered
somewhat. and merchant fleets which
have been forming in sheltered ports
during the day are conveyed across
the channel in well defended routes
The convoy consists of no capita
ships. but of destroyers and scout
boats. which rush along in devious
; courses and at terrific speeds. With
protecting units In front, behind and
surrounding them. the fleet usually
gains the borders of Dutch territorial
waters in safety, Here the naval
squadron stops short and the mer-
chants go safely on into their ports
, OF destination. Shortly afterward 4
:. returning convoy which has beer
formed energies, and, under the pro
lection furnished TO ii, takes it's wa,
westward. Occasionally a stragglei
is torpedoed. and mine victims are a
intervals found,
Holland, though a neutral. has he
place in the blockade of the world
waters. Eliminating Dutch water
of floating mines and anchored mine
which have lost their anchorae
forces the Netherlands to maintain
an extensive force Of trawlers He
. neutrality would be frequently VIC
| lated by either side OF the warrint
empires should she enforce in an,
, lax manner the marine law OF tn
three mile limit.
In the western Atlantic the repub
lies of the United States and Brazi
patrol with light vessels practically
the entire American continent. Cana