Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-05
!. s. DESTROYERS
MAY BAG U-BOATI
RAtrols Trail Submarine
That Attacked Radio.
leine
IN TOUCH WITH QUARRY
Washington, June 5.

Ah~1SCs
The fact that a destroyer yester-
day got in touch with one raider
made navy officials believe today
there was now an opportunity of
ridding our shores of at least one
Of these pests.
Dogged trailing of the vessel which
was attempting to raid the French
steamer Radioleine may prove sue
cessful. Once communication is
established with U-boat, it is fire.
quently possible to land her. Ameri-
can submarine devices have been so
perfected that many times only
patience is needed to bag the U-boat
That an American destroyer had
interrupted the raiders attempt to
sink the Radioleine was revealed late
last night in a navy announcement.
though the event occurred Yesterday
forenoon. At the same time il was
revealed the destroyer had rescued
two from the Edward Baird-bombed
and sinking. The reason for secrecy
until last night was understood to be
a desire of the navy to avoid any
possible communication of this i'm.
portant action from a shore spy to
boats off shore.
The boldness of the attacker in
continuing Operations since sunday
caused surprise in many quarters.
The navy. however, is gratified at
getting in touch with the raider, even
though it could not at the moment
ryAf fair iG rnSSihla Sh
b able TO skulk away despite the
vigilance of the American patrol, but
it is felt that the odds are against
her. In this connection it was re-
called today that press reports told
how destroyers hung on to the spot
where the oil tanker William Rocke-
feller was sunk abroad and finally
were rewarded by having the U-boat
ceme up for air.
The department last night and early
today was on the trail OF reports or
firing off the Delaware and Virginia
capes. These rumors suggested fur-
ther contact between the American
patrol and U-boats, or battles between
U-boats and their victims.
Naval officers today pieced together
reports as to the raider or raiders and
believed from them that Germany Is
not sending across any super type OF
submarine. - The raiders are probably
from zoo to 900 feet in length, of from
500 to 1000 tons and probably capable
OF carrying rather more supplies than
the usual s00-ton type. The length of
stay on American shores without re-
ulenishment at a base on this side de-
pends on two factors-food and oil. If
the U-boats did much steaming, the oil
supply would give out rapidly Officers
have inclined to think ten days or SO
would be the limit based on Gil supply
and a limited amount of cruising after
arrival However II yesterdays at
tacker was one of those here on May 25
she has outstayed that period. on the
other hand. this may be a relief of the
May 25 raider.
Easy to Obtain Food
As for food. it was suggested that
tho raiders had had a chance to strip
their victims of new supplies.
( One officer suggested today that Ger
many may actually be insttuting an at
tempt at blockade. as claimed by the
mate of the U-l51.
"On the other side Germany sends
her U-boats out on a specified tour of
duty. When that time is up the U-boat
goes back to base, whether II has ac-
complished anything or not" he said.
TT is possible that Germany is inau-
gurating tours of duty on this side"
Insurance Rates Reduced
Further evidence of the scorn with
which America views the German u
boat extravaganza was shown today
when Secretary McAdoo announced a
reduction in the insurance rate on mas
ters. officers and crews of merchant
vessels coursing the war zone. Fifteen
cents per 500 instead of 25 cents will
be the rate now and corresponding re-
auctions have been ordered in rates
applicable without the war zone
It was stated there will be no ad-
vance in war risk insurance rates on
vessels and cargoes either in the war
zone or In coastwise traffic
Authorities have difficulty in puzzling
why the submerSihles have made a raid
which at the best is spectacular and
does no military damage Originally, it
was suggested that exhaustion of sup
plies was compelling the C-boats to hit
and run. However, the length of their
operations rather bellies this theory
Ceuce there is an inclination to think
that Won Capelle figured largely on the
rpectacular, hoping that the extent and
frequency of the raids off shore would
siave a demoralizing effect on American
norale, while striking sufficient fear to
official hearts that troop shipment would
ne halted
: II that was his theory he has failed
einiserably. And as for any military
& 1an1age to date. his raids have been nil
- Armament of coastwise vessels as a
a'esult of U-boat operations off shore is
binder way. however.
- While distressing, their attacks have
accomplished no military damage and
&here is calm confidence that they cannot
10 any extensive military damage to
Hroop and supply transports. Heavy
&nnyement of destroyers abroad some
fipe ago was decided upon only after
1areful deliberation. II protection of the
@American coast and fleet had been the
l}eole consideration more destroyers would
4have been kept at home. But navy Of
j 6eials decided that the necessity for bot
{tling up the German C-boats near their
bases required this course.
j As result the U-boats perhaps had a
slightly better opportunity to operate
thus long along the coast. officials
Doinfed out the difficulty of patrol Of so
long a coastline as ours. but gave as
o@lrance that every nerve is being
Il n<rnined TO accomplish successful
<nntrol and to round up the raiders.
Z The navy is now convinced that at
1nast two boats have been operating of
fho coast
provided the American patrol over
hore Is unable to land the pests il is
felt certain that they will have little
chance of getting back to the home base
through the European patrol, now suf'
nc1ently warned to make the enemy re-
turn very hazardous
Is Evangelical Home TO Celebrate
< ~. twenty-ninth anniversary of the