Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-11-02
SIR ERIC CEDDES SAYS HALF
GFRMAN U.bOATS DESTROYED
Declares Big Increase in British Tonnage Now
Afloat and Many New Ships Under Construc-
ton-Defends Work of Navy to Parliament
Praises Work of American Destroyers

through the danger zone there has
been steady REDUCTION in the damage
done by enemy submarines In the
meantime, we are sinking submarines
to an increasing extent
But on the other hand, the Ger
mans are building submarines faster
than they have hitherto done and they
have not yet attained their maximum
strength. 1t appears to me, therefore,
that in the submarine warfare as else
where, it is becoming test of deter
mination and ingenuity between the
two contending forces.
For the present have come to the
conclusion that the submarine warfare
is going well for us. The enemy has
done less damage than he hoped to
and less than we estimated He has
Gone 1t with a serious and heavy loss
to himself At present we may be
justified in feeling that his attack on
our trade is held and is being master
ed and we are justified in looking to
the future with courage and deter
mination. confident that he will fail"
The First Lord said it was well to
vic" the German mercantile marine.
continuing AT the outbreak of the
war Germany possessed over five mil
hon tons' of shipping. Today nearly
half Of it has been sunk or is in the
hands of ourselves or our allies. She
has so per cent. reduction to our IA
per cent. 1t is well the British public
may be told what they are up against.
We must not consider ourselves alone
but the alliance as whole" He
pointed out that while Great Britain
has plenty Of coal for victory, Italy
and France have not and it was es-
sential that there should be the sreat-
est possible economy in food and all
imports in order that tonnage should
ne saved so that it may be diverted
to other vital needs of the alliance.
Urges Britons to Do Utmost
Sir Eric urged Britons to do their
utmost as there were greater calls
upon the shipping world
THE huge army Of the United
states ne said, lis preparing and
mas to be transported and maintained.
The French, Italian and other allies re-
quire seaboard help That help can
ne given only if the nation is prepared
strictly and vigorously to curtail its
needs develop home resources and con-
serve its present potential maritime
strength.
1t had been asked whether Great
Britain was building merchant ton
mage at a sufficient rate to replace the
sinklngs. The answer. he declared had
been given negatively, but it was un-
sound and inconclusive to take any ono
factor of output as against losses to be
a vital indication of Great Britajn's
situation. Britain, he said. was now
equipped on a scale never dreamed Of
before
May the country not justly take
credlt Tor the fact that in 1917, with our
tnllltarN and munitions effect at the
maximum, and when the call upon man
power has reduced our available re-
sources to a minimum he continued
we snail have produced naval and
mercantile tonnage practically equal 10
'he ocst year ever recorded in our his
tory And in 1918. it will certainly he
Very much greater"
The speaker expressed confidence thai
the skilled workers would stand bv the
ration in carrying out the great shin
building program. Just as they had dona
IL the munitions and other needs of the
country.
For he added they may rest assur-
eo th1t the parliament and the whole
country will not permit any action calcu-
lated TO lower the standard of comfort
they have won for their families and
Sir Eric said that the new national
yards now being built would be ready IN
SIX months. and continued:
Ihe output of merchant tonnage for
the first nine months of 1917 is 123 per
cent higher than in the corresponding :
PERIOD last year and considerably high !
er than the total output for the whole
OF 1915. Standard vessels have heen order
ed representing nearly 100000 gross
tons. More than half of these are under
According to the first lord there are
no" go large drydocks in the British Isles !,
where merchantmen can be repaired He |
expressed the hope that all these vessels i
would soon be effectively armed and he
paid tribute to the women employees in !
the dockyards. He then dealt with the |
criticisms against the admiralty
Replying to criticism rega riding the re-
cent loss of a Scandinavian convoy in the .
North sea Sir Eric said had the British /
navy been informed OF the attack, which !
II was not. its position was such that ii |
could not have wished a better opportunl-
ty of intercepting the raiders. Referring |
to the success of the convoy system in |
general. he said: !
I'm September 90 per cent. of the /
total vessels sailing the Atlantic trades |
We're conveyed, and since the convoy |
system started the total per centage |
Of loss per conveyed vessel through |
the danger zone was one in 200.
Praise U. S. Destroyers
u wish to acknowledge fully the val
liable contribution made by the United :
States navy in this convoy work since I.
their destroyers joined us under COM
mand of Vice Admiral Sims, from !,
whom we have received the heartiest !
cooperation and whose counsel has !,
been of great value to us. The con-
tribution of the United States was
given promptly and freely upon their |
entry into the war and is gradually !
being extended in this or other ways. !
1T is known we have had most val |
liable consulta ton with Admiral Mayo !
and on the occa sion of his visit took |
counsel with him as to the role the |
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