Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-06-03
Washington Sees Act as
Attempt to Halt Flow
of Troops to France.

Washington, June 3.-NavaI Of
fCials said that up to the time AS
sCciated Press dispatches telling OF
the destruction OF American snip
ping OFF the New Jersey coast by
German submarines were received
in Washington, the navy depart
ment had no positive information OF
the presence OF the enemy raiders
in home waters.
The submarines were looking for
American transports. Having been
checked by the American destroyer
flOtilla in the war zone, the German
admiralty apparently has concluded
to carry the submarine warfare to
the doors Of America il hope o;
stopping the flow Of troops which
will turn the balance against the
central powers on the western bat
tlefront.
If the German admiralty expects
to find the American ports unpro-
tected because great force OF
American destroyers has been con-
centrated in the war zone around
the British isles, it viii be mis-
taken, naval officials say. While
the anti-submariue craft IL the war
cone are in IarSs number, the pro-
lection OF the steamer lanes on this
side of ths Atlantic mas not been
overlooked and it is said there are
adequate forces in home waters to
meet any emergency.
The torpedoiug OF ships off Bar
negat, N. j., followed by the report
Of more distinctions off Nantucket
shoals, nearly two hundred miles
to the east, was taken as an indi-
cation that the plan of the German
admiralty probably was tC concen-
trate the U-bOats in a practical
blockade Of the principal ports OF
embarkation being used for Amer
lean transports.
Many Reports OF Subs.
Recurrent reports o. German sub
marines on this side of the Atlantic
have been examined by the navy
department during the last week.
Reports of enc German submarine
near the Virginia capes were cur
rIut in Hampton roads Saturday
night. 1t was said navy flying
boats, submarine chasers and 9TH
er anti-submarine craft in thar dis
trict hurried TO sea in search OF the
raiders.
The master OF a British vessel
arriving at Norfolk on May p 70
ported having fired some shots at
submarine about one hundred fifty
miles off Cape Henry. Other IN
coming ships at Atlantic ports for
the last few days also have brought
reports of sighting submarines.
Confession Of Fear for l. :.
Germany by striking with he-
submarines at the very doors of
America, has admitted 70 the world
that the American army will turn
the tide against her on the battle
field of France.
AS first news of the submarine
raid on the Atlantic coast brought
tC the navy department today by
Associated Press dispatches, wsa
followed by official reports, naval
officials declared that the Amer,-
can auti-submarin forces in home
waters were ample to meet the
attack.
All officials declared that tho
navy department was fully equip
ped to meet the thrust at the four
tain head Of the iow of American
troops to Europe and that all lts
agencies were being brought into
full force TO find the submarines
and destroy them.
VIII Deal With U-B0atS. .
This challenge to the fighting
forces of the United States would
be met, officials said. with the same
measures which have driven ne
submarines to cover in the war
zone, and the steady flow OF Amer
lean transports TO France would
be guarded with the same effective
protection which has carried thcu
through the infested waters Of the
British isles and France with re-
markably low loss Of life.
Submarine blockade in the prin-
cipal transport lanes and about the
territory containing the principal
embarkation ports for the Amer
lean army has long been counted
upon by American naval officers as
enc OF Germany's last cards and
preparations have been made 10
meet II.
BUY War Savings stamps
PLANE FALLS; KILLED.
indianapolis. Ind. June 3-Cap-
tain Edwin p Webb was killel
and Major Guy Geahart. command
ant OF camp, injured when their
airplane fell here.