The Green Forest tribune., 1918-03-01

Thinks American Transports Immune B bone County Headlight.
 "The German subs have not got an American navy transport yet and they never will" is the confident remark made in letter just received from Clayton G. Russell, the Headlights Staff War Correspondent" who was ten days ago sojourning in an Atlantic port, while the big navy transport he is helping to man was taking on its cargo of men, munitions and food for the third trip lover there" since Octo- Der.
 This terse comment on the subma. rine situation followed statement that the writer had just read of the sinking of the Tuscania, which he said was due to the lack of precautions by the English officers, who, he said, were doubtless trying to beat the American record for speed by taking a direct course, then too, he said, "the English do not have the lookouts post ed as the American ships do. Ameri can ships pursue zigzag course. mak ing it impossible for the submarine men to make definite calculations on their paths, and when the sub comes up to fire his torpedo misses the mark. The loss of the destroyer, the Jacob Jones, the letter says, was due more to an unfortunate circumstance rather than German shrewdness, it's crew hav- ing run her into a mine in order to get out of the path and save an Ameri- can transport.
 How much the information contain ed in the letter concerning the sub marine situation is worth the Head light does not pretend to say, but it seems that no man is prepared to speak other than in terms of guess. and since this guess is one of the kind we like to hear, we consider it worth something. q
 At any rate it. is encouraging to know that our son is pursuing his work with such a spirit of confidence in the future. Such seems to be the feeling of all our soldiers and sailors, and it is the strongest encouragement we have of the ultimate triumph of our cause in this war.
 Referring again to his work, Clayton says that this being the busy season of the transports, he expects it will be several months at best before he can possibly come home for visit. He says that everything is being rushed to the limit during the winter months as the submarines operate with much more difficulty on the icy seas.
 From some cause it is very diffi- cult thing for sailors on transports to get word from home or mail of any kind. Up to February 14, Clayton had received but one letter since he sailed on his first trip to France in October. He had, however, a day or two ore. vlous received consignment of Christmas packages. On that morning he was handed a telegram of Christ mas greeting from home sent Decem- Der 23. All communication to men in the navy must be sent in care of the postmaster at New York.
 q want to thank everybody who re. membered me with Christmas pres ent," the letter says. "'The fountain pen is surely a peach. I am sending you post card of myself ard three of the boys, also postal card l got in France. I have just gotten hold of a Headlight containing the story from my letters in December upon my fist return from France.
 Well, I was out last night" the letter concludes, until o'clock this morning and feel mean enough today to try to whip the kaiser all by my self"