The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1917-04-20
GERMANY FIRES FIRST SHOT OF
WAR AT AMERICAN BATTLE
SHIP AND MISSES-TEU-
TON ESCAPES.
SUBSEA BLOCKADE OF U. S.
PORTS is BELIEVED BEGUN
Encounter First Proof of Rumors
That U-Boats Lurk Off Coasts
Shipping Uneasy-Navy Con-
fident of Ability to Com
bat Enemy Craft.

Washington, April 18.-Germany
has fired the first shot of the war
against America and it missed.
Official information has reached the
Navy department that the U. S. De-
stroyer Smith was fired upon by a
German submarine at $50 a. m, April
IT,
The torpedo launched by the U-boat
missed the Smith by 80 yards. The
latter gave chase to the submarine but
the enemy ship submerged and
escaped.
Sighted by Destroyer.
Announcing the first engagement of
the war, the Navy department issued
the following statement:
Reports from Fire Island light ship
to navy station at Boston and at New
York, that at $3.50 a. M, the 18th, an
enemy submarine was sighted by the
U. 8. S. Smith, running apparently
submerged. The submarine fired a
torpedo at the Smith, which missed
her by 80 yards. Wake of torpedo
plainly seen crossing bows. Subma.
rine disappeared"
Rumors Confirmed.
The fact that the enemy undersea
fighter is in adjacent waters, still
probably we'll armed, caused great
stir in shipping and naval circles all
along the coast.
The submarines efforts to sink the
destroyer were the first definite evil
dence of the oft-repeated rumors that
coasts.
Not Far From Gotham.
The fact that the Fire Island light
ship conveyed the original information
led to the belief that the German boat
was not far distant from New York
city, inasmuch as the light ship is
only 25 miles beyond Sandyhook,
outer portal of New York's harbor.
Reports to the Boston naval station
indicated that the submarine was how
ering off the Jersey coast midway be-
tween Atlantic City and Asbury Park,
and only a short distance below New
York city itself.
Navy in Doubt.
The navy has no way of knowing
whether the submarine has made the
journey from Bremerhaven, intending
to make quick stroke and return, or
whether it has been lying off the
American coast for some time getting
its supplies from hidden base on the
Mexican coast or elsewhere along the
Atlantic coast.
The actual appearance of a fighting
submarine on this side has naturally
aroused the greatest speculation as to
the possibility of secret base having
been established at some point within
comparatively easy reach from Ameri-
can waters. No information is avail
able, however, as to whether the Navy
department believes this may be the
case.
War Now at U. S. Shores.
The immediate effect of the Smith
affair, as the navy sees it, will be to
stir up the country to a realization
that war is at our shores and to stim-
ulate recruiting both for the navy and
Whether the presence of the Ger
man submarine merely foreshadows a
sporadic raid such as U-53 conducted
off the New England coast or whether
it is the signal for the beginning of a
general submarine blockade of the
Atlantic coast is not known.
First Recognition of War.
The attack by the U-boat is Ger
many's first recognition of the state
of war declared by the United States.
It was stated in Germany soon after
the act of Congress that no aggressive
steps would be taken against the
United States.
Practically no American officials be-
lieved this statement, however, and
steps to meet aggressive steps were
at once taken.
The probability of submarine attack
on unprotected seaboard cities and
towns, raids on shipping within sight
of American shores and a submarine
blockade of the principal Atlantic
ports to terrorize shipping and people
were expected.
1t was said then that an official
warning to neutrals of the prohibited