Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1917-09-07

their might against the British. An
even greater battle than the one on
Jutland would be the result.
v. s. May Take Part.
American warships may take part
in this vast engagement. 1t is not
permitted to state where the Ameri-
can battle fleet lies at this moment.
but Americas word to assist her al
lies with every means In her power
is assurance that our 1-inch rifles will
be ranged alongside Admiral Beatty's
big guns whenever 1t Is considered ad-
visable to put them there.
Indeed, the activity of the American
main fleet in the North sea is so prob
able that rumors Undoubtedly start
ed by German agents) of a great sea
disaster found ready credence this
spring. These unfounded stories had
it that the United States fleet had met
the Germans. been worsted and lay
for the most part on the bottom of the
ocean. The reports stirred up such
widespread uneasiness among the
masses of the people that an official
denial was thought advisable.
The last year has seen many brushes
between opposing light forces in the
North sea. In one spectacular en-
gagement two destroyers locked, the
British sailors pouring onto their OPP
ponents' craft and routing them with
cutlasses In the fashion Of bygone
centuries.
A British fleet pounded the German
harbor of Zeebrugge to pieces and
damaged the left end of the TeutOn
battle line resting on the North sea.
The entry of the United States into
the war, with the third largest navy
in the world, has rendered the posi-
ton Of the entente nations much more
secure on the sea. British patrols
along the Atlantic coast of North and
South America have mostly been re-
placed by American boats. leaving the
English craft free for work nearer
home. The United States is building
300 submarine chasers and an unstat-
ed, but undoubtedly large number Of
hydroairplanes for the campaign
against the U-boat.
Bremen Meets Disaster.
On August /, 1915, the first mer-
chairman submarine, the Deutschland,
left Baltimore homeward bound. She
reached Germany safely and then
made a second transatlantic trip-this
time to New London, Conn. The en-
try of the United States into the war
prevented a third trip. Meanwhile, a
sister ship, the Bremen, seems to have
met disaster on her way here.
A spectacular feat was performed
by the fighting submarine U-53. which
came into Newport. r. l.. on October
last, stayed a few hours and then put
to sea. She sank FIVE merchantmen
off Nantucket lightship the next night
the passengers and crews being res
cued by a feet Of American destroy
| ers. The Germans announced later
the U-53 had reached home in safety
The year was also signalized by the
sinking of several hospital ships un
warned by the Germans. Among these
was the Britannia, the largest British
vessel afloat, which was destroyed In
the Aegean November q. The Ger
mans announced that In the future
they would not warn any hospfta
ships except those sailing at certain
specified times and taking prescribed
| routes.
On November % the Russian dread
naught Imperatrita Maria was suni
by an internal explosion and 200 live.
were lost.
The German cruiser Moewe made ,
successful raid In the South Atlantic
On January II 1t was learned she hat
sunk 81 ships and captured three 9th
ers. Part of her prisoners she allOwet
to land at South American ports ant
part she sent to Germany on board tn
prize ship Yarrowdale. She hersel
reached Germany safely.
The greatest feat of Germany on tn
sea, however, was accomplished whel
by her ruthless submarine war sh
brought the United States into the wa
as her enemy this spring. The Ameri
cans Immediately started vast ship
building program. which may undo TO
4 ~ 49, 1NrS II hot 70