Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-02-14
Admiral JeIIiCoe Not DiSpIeased
With Number of SubmArsi-
bIeS Accounted for in Last
Two Weeks,
SUPPLY SHIPS CANNOT
BE DRIVEN FROM SEA
No Published Reports of What
Is Being Accomplished To-
ward Destruction of U-boats
Permitted by Government

LpiidoiI, ftb. ID he bTlllSH pun
lie has INDUCED the idea that the
meeting of parliament would show
light on the problem of how the navy
Is dealing with Germany's intensified
submarine warfare. The press and
many public men have been constant
ly urging that the government drop
the veil of secrecy on the ground that
the losses were well-known to the
Germans and that therefore there
would be no harm in allowing the
British public to know, while the
knowledge would tend to encourage
the people to bear patiently the neces-
sary sacrifices.
Gossip, which experience in war
has shown in numberless cases to be
thoroughly unreliable, has played with
the notion that many submarines are
being destroyed or have been brought
with their crews to British ports
Certain Routes Kept Open.
Admiral Lord Beresford raised the
question in the house of lords today.
He appealed to the government for
more open treatment of the public,
thereby voicing an urgent demand for
information. The Earl of Lytton, civil
lord Of the admiralty, and the Earl of
Curzon, lord president of the council
replied to the effect that certain
routes for neutral commerce were be-
ing kept free and that the situation
was less aggravated than might be
supposed. They declined, however, to
divulge whether the improved condi-
tion was due to a better means for
ships escaping the attentions of sub
marines or to the actual destruction Of
submarines. though on the latter
point. Lord Lytton described Admiral
Sir John Jellicoe first lead lord, as
being mot dissatisfied"
Both Lord Lytton and Lord Curzon
spoke with great confidence and while
Withholding details which might be
useful to the enemy, intimated in a
general way that extensive measures
had been adopted to deal with the
situation.
Apparently the means the govern
ment is relying on are great multi
plication of destroyers and the arming
of merchantmen. Lord Lytton said
that all the shipyards in the world
would not suffice to build the destroy
ers needed. but every available yard
was being utilized for that purpose.
Increased Loss Small,
Both speakers represented the ad-
miralty as being thoroughly awake
and ready to employ every useful de-
vice submitted to it for coping with
the danger. Lord Curzon gave inter-
esting figures, showing the loss of
tonnage as only between
five and six per cent. as compared
with the month preceding the out
break of the war, this probably imply
ing that the loss by submarines and
mines has been largely compensated
by new construction.
Lord Curzon, pointing out the ratio
Of armed vessels, at three to one, said
the process of armIng ships was being
greatly accelerated and that the num-
ber now armed exceeded by forty to
fifty per cent the number armed at
the beginning of last December.
Strong efforts were being made to-
ward new construction of merchant
men, orders having been given both in
America and Japan.
Statement by Beresford.
Lord Beresford said:
I'VE have lost since the beginning
Of the war 100000 tons of shipping.
This is q fact which the public should
know, but it is not nearly as serious
rs it appears. We have made up tn.
loss very considerably. Three million
tons which have been lost have been
more or less adequately filled,
There is not the slightest neces-
sity for panic. We have done remark
ably well and shall do great deal
better in the future"
The country, Baron Beresford con-
-inued had been informed in August,
1915, that the submarine menace was
Well in hand. AS far as he could /
gather, it was better in hand today, |
owing to the new ideas brought to
he admiralty by men fresh from the
sea who had had experience in this
novel form of warfare and its mys
cries.
Menace Not Fatal.
In conclusion, Baron Beresford, |
while acknowledging the submarine |
menace was serious, said it would not |
De fatal menace and he was conf |
lent that in six weeks or so the ma
ion would have the submarines really |
n hand.
The earl of Lytton, replying for the
he admiralty, said the government
AXE the public entirely into its con-
ileiitt, but tHdt tidt WOulu iiNoiNcl
information to the enemy,
md the admiralty was determined the
Germans should have that informa-
ion by experience and not through
questions in parliament.
All the expedients suggested by
Baron Beresford were being pressed
Onward with the utmost energy. to-
'ether with many others, he contin-
led, even in addition to those mem
ioned by Earl Curzon on February Z.
Every device that human ingenuity |
ould frame was being employed.
Counter Measures Successful.
''We are the sea police of the en-
ire world and Germany is playing
he role of highwayman,'' declared |