The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-07-23
MASTERY NJ : i | Of. SEA
FIRMER Than EVER
Allies Grip on the Enemy Con-
stant|y Increasing.
As NAVAL EXPERT VIEWS It
seven Million Tone Of Shipping Enter
or Leave British Ports Monthly
Supplies Are Being Carried In Great.
or Volume Than Z Year Ago-sub.
marine Menace Being heid-Strength
Of Allied Armies Growing Rapidly.

The necessity of keeping an eye
upon the Importance of Sea power In
the present conflict, despite the close
attention claimed by the land battles,
IL emphasized by Archibald Hurd, the
naval expert, writing in the London
Daily Telegraph.
1--WE have been apt during the recent
offensives on the western 'front.'" Mr..
Hurd writes, Ito overlook other as
poets OF the war-n0tab!y the funda-
mental factor, which Is sea power.
After q period of fifteen months, dur
ing which our strength in ships has
steadily declined, the downward ten.
dency now has been definitely arrest
ed. Not only Is our sea power increas-
ing, but our grip on the enemy Is firm
er than at any previous period OF the
war.
100000 Tons Of Shipping.
"Seven million tons of shipping en-.
ter or leave our ports monthly. Each
ship is the target for enemy subma-
rines, vet there have been days In the
present week when the enemy has not
secured a single ship.
'"Twelve months ago We were with
difficulty maintaining one stream Of
traffic, namely. that which brought US
food and raw material. Today sup
plies are flowing through this main
ortorx, In orooton yo1nno thon a voor
ago. AT the same time another stream
OF traffic has started and merchant
shipping has been made available for
the greatest transport movement which
has ever been carried out.
"For three months past American
troops have been coming across the
Atlantic By tens Of thousands, far fast
er than at any time the balance be-
tween the allies and the central pow
ers ia being adjusted In favor Of the
former.
Reason for Confidence.
'"Viewing the war in Its various as.
pects-naval, military and economic
We have every reason for confidence.
The tide is distinctly turning, and turn.
ing, let us hope, for the last time. The
submarine menace is being held. The
allied armies are increasing in rela-
tive strength. The foed position Of
this country, Of France and of Italy is
improving, and shipbuilding. both in
British and American yards, is pro-
ceeding at a greatly accelerNted pace.
There IS assurance that by the end Of
December at least 100000 tons will
have been put into the water here and
In the United States and that figure
may be considerably exceeded.
ION the other hand, the enemy's
sinkings of British and allied tonnage
have been so considerably reduced ow.
ing to the activities Of the allied navies
and the courage and resource Of their
merchant seamen that 1t Is practically
certain there will be balance Of ship.
ping on the right side.
I'm word, the relative naval, mill.
tary and economic strength Of the al.
lies is steadily increasing at moment
when the enemy Is feeling the cumula.
tive effects Of the blockade maintained
over period of nearly four years
with Increasing stringency, and of the
war on land, which not only has re-
suited In heavy casualties, but has
drained the central powers of indus.
trial workers."