Evening journal., 1918-10-08
FLANDERS SUB
BASES CLOSED
Huns Now Compelled to
Take Long Northern Route
to the Atlantic
CEDDES COMES
OVER ON VISIT

WASHINGTON, Oct. s.-with the ar
rival here yesterday Of Sir Eric Geddes,
First Lord Of the British Naval Mis-
sion accompanying him, new facts
bearing on the submarine campaign
were disclosed.
IL became known that the production
OF submarines in Germany in recent
months has increased greatly end is
now larger than at any time since the
war began. But the defensive measures
are succeeding so well that this In
creased production has been more than
onset. Previous declarations by Sir
Eric still hold good. that the submarine
is held but not mastered.
Sir Eric is here on a short visit to
return that Of Franklin Roosevelt, AS
slstant Secretary Of the Navy, and TO
discuss naval matters with Secretary
Daniels and his staff. Admiral Dun,
another member Of the British Ad-
miralty, accompanies him.
The flag Of the Admiralty was flown
on the ship which brought them here.
its first appearance outside Of British
waters. The flying Of the nag signi-
fes that a board Of the Admiralty is
on the ship and fully empowered 70
negotiate without referring decisions
TO the Home once for approval or in
Endorsement.
A new light was thrown by the Brit
ish visitors on the reported German
plan 10 abandon the submarine base in
Flanders. It appears that with the
Straits OF Dover now closed 10 the
submarines through the measures put
into effect In the last few months the
usefulness OF these bases has disap-
peared All submarines must now seek
the Atlantic by the northern route, for
which Wilhelmshaven IS a better base.
While not seeking TO disparage the
effect OF the campaign on these bases.
the naval experts made It plain that
the Flanders flotilla OF submarines, TO
which a large proportion Of the losses
used TO be due, no longer has reason
10 exist.
The British navy has been dropping
,even tons OF bombs every day upon
these bases for some time, which was
another reason why the Germans de-
clded 60 give them up. The blackading
ships are still in the channel, but the
Germans cut a hole through the wall
and managed TO get some Of their sub
marines out.
BY compelling submarines 20 take
the longer route TO reach the Atlantic
Sir Eric said their efficiency had been
reduced at least one-thlrd. Another
cause for the reduction IN slnkings out
side Of the successful defensive meas
ures are the poorer crews with which
the U-bOats are now manned.
The British coast patrol Is now so
effective that the submarines have
moved out into the Atlantic. This has
likewise reduced the number Of sins-
ings. but the average size OF ships sunk
has increased somewhat. Also it was
disclosed at the interview today that
sinkings at night are now as numerous
as those I'm the daytime. a new feature
Of the submarine campaign.
It was pointed out by Sir Eric that
the convoy system which has so sue
cessfully achieved its purpose neces-
sarily has reduced the number Of YES
sells TO be used for offensive purposes
against the submarines. Germany has
realized, he said, that II the submarine
was 10 continue 20 be a factor at all IL
would only be through material in
crease in the number Of new sub
marines turned out. In the last few
months she has concentrated her ef-
forts on this plan.
In a statement last night Sir Eric
said:
"My visit 20 the United States, in
company with Vice Admiral Duff. the
Assistant Chief OF the Naval STAFF at
the Admiralty, IS in response to a most
cordial invitation extended TO us by
the Secretary Of the United States