The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1917-05-10
ENORMOUS LOSSES SUSTAINED.
Serious Situation Caused by Subna-
rine Warfare.

ping HlduS DI Neillldu submarines
within the last few weeks has
brought to American government Of
ficials full realization of the disas-
ter that faces the United States and
the allies if the undersea warfare is
not checked.
Governors and State representa-
tiveS here today for a national de-
tense conference. will take home to
their people a message from the gov
nerment emphasizing the menace to
America and urging that there must
be the fullest coordination by the
States in war preparation if Germany
is to be defeated
Grave Statement.
Secretary Lane told the conference
that the great destruction of ships
was threatening the existence Of
Great Britain and France and menac-
ing the United States. No one. he
said, knew the exact tonnage Of ships
lost recently. but estimates put last
weeks submarine toll at 100000
tons. Later he explained that this
estimate probably was too high.
Secretary Lansing in statement
declared the seriousness of the sub
marine situation could not be eXag-
gerated and that it was time the
country awoke to the true facts. Re-
ports to the State department give a
total of eighty vessels lost in one
week, figures much higher than any
contained in recent British announce
ments.
Rate of Destruction.
The British mission announced
that the rate of destruction in re-
cent weeks had continued unchanged
and that it showed no alarming in
creaseS. All its members agree the
situation is critical. however. and
that the combined shipbuilding facili-
ties of the world can meet the peril
only if their output is increased
tremendously.
Announcing the governments pro-
gramme for exercising a more direct
control over the country's shipping
and shipbuilding facilities, Chairman
Denman, Of the shipping board, said
estimates had been reaching the
board of 100000 tons of shipping
sunk in one week. The present
worlds ship tonnage is estimated at
less than 50,000,000 tons.
Ship Construction.
A bureau of navigation report pre-
pared recently estimated the world S
ship construction in 1916 at slight
ly less than 100000 tons. If the
Germans keep up their present rate
of destruction officials admit with
out hesitation that their campaign
threatens to sweep clean the seas.
The seriousness of the situation
is apparent" said Chairman Denman
today. when we consider the pres
ent productivity of world ship yards
and their highest output likely with
in the next four months, the entire
production will not exceed one-fifth
Of the monthly loss at the rate given
boards figures do not reach that high
total, but they are sufficiently large
grave"
Problem Nation Faces.
The federal government took into
it's confidence governors and other
State representatives and outlined
the problems the nation faces Cabi-
net heads explained the situation and
asked aid in putting into effect the
government war measure.
At a second conference tomorrow
the council of national defense will
present definite programme to the
States for coordinating their work
in carrying out military and economic
plans.
President Wilson received the dele
gates today at the white house and
urged that the States draw all ener-
gies and efforts together into COM
mon action.
Rests With States.
Secretary Baker and other war de-
partment officials said the success Of
the war army rested with the States
and depended on their cooperation.
At a later meeting Secretary of La
Dor Wilson and agriculture depart
ment officials discussed food prob
lens and labor needs and their rela-
tion to military success.
Secretary Lane advised the gov
ernors TO let their peoples know the
government is preparing for a long