The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-11-15
Offsets Anything Unsatis-
factory in Military Sit
uation Writes Pollen
TONNAGE LOSS Is
MILLION YEARLY
Less Than the Present Cap
acity of British Yards
Alone
(By Associated Press.l

New. YORK Nov. 15.-Arthur Pol
len. noted British war expert, has
made the following statement to The
Associated Press on the submarine
war:
Anything unsatisfactory in the
military and political situation in
Europe is balanced by the extra
ordinary news that the German sub
marine campaign has broken down
altogether. The submarine is defeat
ed. This h the most momentous
event since the United States de-
clared war. II means we can all stay
in and that America can really come
in.
six months ago shipping was be-
ing destroyed, according to some
authorities. at a rate Of nine million
tons per annum. Had this loss con-
tinued the Germans had the right to
expect, not indeed military victory,
but peace that would mean some
thing much less than defeat. This
was Germany's only hope and il was
the allies only anxiety. For every
one. including the German high com
mand. knew thai with sea commuri-7
cation reasonably safe the military
defeat Of the German army was GER
tain.
Replace Less in Eight Weeks. .s
In the first fortnight or Novem-
Der, the rate Of losses Of British ton
mage Of ships greater than 1000 tons
each. has fallen to about one million
tons year. The present ship build
ing capacity Of Great Britain alone
can make this loss good in less than
eight months. At the rate America,
Great Britain and Japan are striving
to attain. we should replace this loss
in less than eight weeks The rate
OF loss for the last week is actually
less than the annual toll OF wrecks
in peace time. It is an amazing de-
velopment. 1t is not to be expected
that losses can remain as low as
this. They must fiuctuate. But they
should never cause us serious un-
easineSs again. .
Tin face OF the revindication of.
sea power, the greatest war achieve
ment of the British, American and
allied navies in the last three and
half years, we may be sure that
there will be q reaction Of optimism.
For Germany's defeat at sea is final,
universal and permanent, whereas
Germany's successes on land are
local, partial and temporary. And
her defeat at sea means that Ameri-
cas- share in the war can be and
Will De decisive. eEH
London, Nov. 15.-Cnly one British
merchant vessel of more than 1000
tons was sunk by mine or submarine
last week. according to the weekly
statement of shipping losses issued
last evening. This is the low record
since Germany began her submarine
campaign.
Five vessels of less than !, 500 tons
and one fishing boat were sunk dur
Ing the week. ..., s...4-
Not since Germany began her in
tensified submarine campaign in
February has the total number Of
British merchantmen sunk by mine |
or submarine been. so small as the
above admiralty statement shows. |
The previous low record was 10 mer-
eight OF them Of a tonnage |
In excess of 1000. and four of them |
less than ] 900 tons.
The high crest of the wave of Brit |
lsh merchantmen sunk was during |
the week of April %. when forty |
ships of 1900 tons and over. and fif- /
teen Of less tonnage were sunk-a to- |
Lal Of 55. The next high record was
he following week, when thirty eight /
vessels Of the larger and thirteen of
ne smaller category were sent 10 the
bottom.
Paris. Nov. 15.-The loss TO French i
through mine or submarine
or the week ending Nov. IL was two
over j 500 tons, one of which
vas actually sunk the previous week
Ind no vessels under that tonnage,
Four successful attacks were made
oy submarines.
Rome, Nov. I5.-An Official state
nent issued yesterday reports the
oss Of one sailing vessel Of more
han 100 tons. due TO submarines for
he week ended, Nov. IL.