Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-07-25
GERMAN U-BOATS
IN NEW TACTICS
ON TROOP SHIPS
Naval Officers Mystified by
Reports of Long JUS
ticia Battle

Washington, July 25.-The loss of
the British transport Justicia Is ad-
mitted by officials here to be a severe
blow. The loss was confirmed in an
official dispatch to the Navy Depart
ment from Admiral Sims. This makes
the third British transport sunk in
a week, the Carpathia having been
lost off the coast of Ireland Wednes-
day and the transport Barunga Tues
day.
Naval officers here believe the
German admiralty is following new
lines of strategy in planning these
attacks. The Germans appear to have
attacked the Justicia with U-boats
en- masse and to have operated at
considerable distance off shore in or
der to catch the vessel after her con-
voys had left her.
No Night Convoy
1t Is clearly established that a
number of U-boats operated togeth-
er 1t Is assumed, in advance of de-
tailed information, that the huge
after which she was left to rely on
her speed and her anti-submarine
nets.
These nets have already saved
many ships, and in the present in
stance are understood to have made
the work of the U-boat commanders
very difficult. But the British admir-
atty probably did not reckon with the
haNF tFNr l. Il. -
of submarines. Heretofore the Ger
mans have seldom concentrated more
than two U-boats on any one ship,
especially a transport returning
empty from abroad.
Naval officers are mystified by the
reports that the Justicia battled for
twenty -four hours with the U-boats
before being finally sunk. They cam
not yet understand how a fight of
such duration could have been con-
Quoted without destroyers or other
rescuing craft coming to her as
sistance, excepting on the theory
that the attack occurred at a con-
siderable distance off shore, and
some time after the conveying ves-
sells had left the Justicia.
1t is regarded as possible, but not
probable, that the wireless of the
liner was shot away in the first stages
of ~the battle, thereby rendering 1t
impossible for her to call for help.
There are intimations in the unof-
fetal dispatches that the Justicia
made the U-boat pay dearly for
their attack, but aside from this
there is nothing to indicate that any
of the U-boats were destroyed.
Holding Back Information
In some naval quarters the report
~ of ct1r c
and methods which showed to excel
lent advantage" is assumed to refer
to the anti-submarine nets.
For reasons not disclosed both the
British admiralty and the Navy De-
partment are Withholding much of
the information concerning the sink
ing of the big liner. 1t is noted that
no mention was permitted by the
British censors until the German
wireless had given the first news.
There is reason to believe that the
German commanders may have
known in advance the course which
the liner took, and were therefore
able to concentrate submarines.
1t is becoming apparent the u
boats are not wasting much effort
now on eastbound transports, which,
being troop laden, are heavily con-
voyed all the way across, but are
trying to get them on their return
trip. 1t has been the practice to con-
voy westbound ships only part of the
distance. On account of the new
campaign this plan may be changed,
Boston, July 25.-Rear Admiral
Spencer S. Wood, commandant of the
First Naval District, called attention
of all shipmasters and factory man
ayers last night to the danger to
which troops and sailors are sub
jected as the result of the blowing
of whistles and ringing of bells in
celebration of the sailing of troop
transports.
1T is we'll known by ALL" the
statement continued, that an enemy
submarine is lurking in the waters
adjacent to this coast, that the sink
ing of coal barges and fishing vessels
is merely incidental to the real mis-
sion.
"It is therefore the plain duty of
every American not only to refrain
from any demonstrations whatsoever
in connection with ship sailings, but
to refrain even from the discussion
of sailings, of preparations for sail
ings which may come to his atten-
ton. 1t must be remembered there
are persons in our midst who would
IL opportunity offered. make traitor
Gus use of any information of a
naval or military character"