The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-04-20
The British Army's
Terrific Offensive
By Lowell Mellett

(Cn1ted PreSS STAN Correspondent
London, April 20.-More than 50 com
bats against German submarines have
taken place since February land
20 of these in the period from February
81 to March IL Lord Robert Cecil,
minister of blockade stated today.
His statement was evoked by ques
ticn from the United Press suggesting
that he outline for Americans what he
thought the problems Of the day were
III the submarine menace.
''Several points stand out strikingly
In the German submarine blockade, -
he said, ''In the first place, it is con-
fession Of weakness and sign that the
Germans have really abandoned all
hope of obtaining a successful issue IN
the land war. 1t also appears to be
due to a realization that they cannot
.-sa far as water craft are concerned
hope to contest the mastery OF the
seas which the allies have possessed
since the war was first declared.
~ would not speak Of the aspect
Of the campaign of brutality IN this
warfare It is not new from Germans
Indeed it would rather surprise the al
hes-and I think I may also say neu-
trals-if the Germans hesitated to en-
ploy any means because it was 1nhuman
or contrary to international law. Iher
government is government OF force;
their patriotism is not based on any
fine noble grounds, but merely the doe
trine of German state above all-and
any means are justifiable to maintain
the greatness Of that state and impose
it's will on the rest of the world
cit is that spirit we are fighting; 1t
is that doctrine which we must destroy
if we wish durable peace.
Gas to the results Of the submarine
blockade I cannot deny that grave
losses have been caused shipping, but
I do not think I am exaggerating III
saving that the losses have fallen very
short of those the Germans hoped to in
fict.
cone must remember that too while
YOU hear lot of the number OF German
submarines claims, you do not hear so
much about the losses of the submarines
themselves suffer. In this connection,
it is worth pointing out that neutrals
suffer more than the belligerents.
E'Like all DULLES, the Germans are
fondest of attacking those who can t
defend themselves. Unarmed neutral
merchantmen are just the sort Of tar
GETS that German submarine really
likes But as with all DULLES, those
who stand up against them suffer the
least.
''Some neutrals in terror keep their
ships at home Some are suffering con-
seouentlv, a real blockade. Let them
pluck UP their courage and come out
The submarine menace is not nearly
as bad as it sounds.
ct am sure you will realize that for
naval reasons it is impossible for me to
speak very definitely ON this subject
the more so since it is very often diff
ficult to be absolutely certain. in case
of any engagement with submarine
what the fate Of the submarine has
actually been.
81 am authorized to state by the ad-
miraltv, however. that between Febru-
airy q and March IT, there were 70
combats between British ships and sub
marines.
"Remember that from February l to
81. Sir Edward Carson announced that
not less than 40 combats had taken
place. Thus to date, there have been
over 50.
s'This shows that the submarine is
by no means having its own way; that
the British Navy is not-as sometimes
asserted-powerless to cope with the
menace.
Regarding restrictions on imports,
it is of course only with greatest re
luctance that we have issued regula-
lions restricting imports of commodi
ties. especially those from our allies
But this is a matter in which the allies
stand together.
cit is move to save tonnage for al
Of us, and one of the best ways is ar
agreement to limit imports to articles
absolutely necessary to national life
and to progress of the war;
THUMB NAIL SKETCHES OF THE