Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-05-03
tsr MORNING JOURNAL srse,s, lsAs.o w,.sl

tur MORNING JOURNAL srse,kt LaAsEo wIss1
Washington, May 2.--The enormous
inroads on the worlds shipping made
by German submarines within the last
few weeks has brought to American
government officials a full realization
Of the disaster that faces the United
States and the allies IL the undersee
warfare is not checked.
Governors and state representatives.
here today fora national defense con-
ference, will take home to their peo-
pie message from the government
emphasizing the menace to America,
and urging that there must be the
fullest coordination by the states in
war preparation IL Germany Is to be
defeated.
Secretary Lane told the conference
that the great destruction of ships was
threatening the existence Of Great
Britain and France and menacing the
United States. No one, he said, knew
the exact number OF ships lost recently
but estimates put last weeks subma-
rine toll at 100000 tons. Later he ex-
planned that this estimate probably
was too high.
Warning by Lansing.
Secretary Lansing, in statement,
declared the seriousness of the sub
marine situation could not be exag-
gerated, and that 1t was time the
country awoke to the true facts. Re-
ports to the state department give q
total of eighty vessels lost In one
week, figures much higher than any
contained in recent British announces
ments
The British mission announced that
the rate of destruction In recent
weeks had continued unchanged and
that 1t showed no alarming increases.
Situation Is Critical.
All its members agree the situation
is critical, however, and the combined
shipbuildins facilities of the world
can meet the peril only II their OUT
put is increased tremendously.
Announcing the governments pro-
gram for exercising more direct con-
troll over the country's shipping and
shipbulding facilities. Chairman De.-
man, of the shipping board. said esti-
mates Ilu ItdCIlcu tUf DOdIu VI OVV,-
600 tons of shipping sunk in one week.
Enorncas Destruction.
The present worlds ship tonnage u
estimated at less than 50,000,000 tons.
In 1916 the entire loss in tonnage duo
20 war causes was put at a little more
than 100000 tons. or some $4,000
tons a month. At present the GerA
mans are sinking considerably more
than that each week.
A bureau of navigation report pre-
pared recently estimated the worlds
ship construction in 1916 at slightly
less than 100000 tons. II the Ger
mans keep up their present rate OF
destruction, officials admit without
hesitation that their campaign threat.
ems to sweep the seas clean.
Hope to Check U-boats.
The seriousness of the situation Is
apparent" said Chairman Denman to-
day. when we consider the present
productivity of world ship yards and
their highest output likely within the
next four months, the entire pfodHc-
ton will not exceed one-fifth Of the
monthly loss at the rate given by
Secretary Lane. The shipping boards
figures do not reach that high total.
but they are sufficiently large to make
the situation extremely grave"
Experts of the federal departments,
it became known today. are working
night and day on electrical devices
with which it is hoped to combat the
submarine.
Bills were introduced IN. congress-
today to enlarge the powers Of the
war risk Insurance. bureau to permit tt