Evening star., 1918-06-15
Admiral Says Raid on Ameri-
can Coast Is Intended
Only to Frighten.
TRANSPORTS, SUPPLIES
WILL NOT BE AFFECTED
Briton Says Troop Movement Has
No Parallel in History; Ameri-
can Naval Aid in Med.
iterranean.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
LONDON, June 15.--German subma-
rine activity off the Atlantic coast of
the United States should not be taken
very seriously, as the Germans prob
ably will not attempt blockade of
the American shores.
This is the opinion of Vice Admiral
Sir Rosslyn Wemyss, first sea lord of
the British admiralty. The admiral
believes that there is only one sub
marine operating off the American
coast and that the purpose of its trip
across the Atlantic was to frighten the
Americans.
German ruthlessness at sea, the first
sea lord declared, must be met by
centralized warfare in the North sea
and the Mediterranean
Admiral Nemyss paid tribute to the
cooperation of the American naval
forces in European waters. He said the
American ships not only were station
ed in the north, but also were operat-
4
braltar.
Effect on Naval Situation.
The appearance of the German sub
marines off the American coast is an
interesting development from what
ever point Of view 1t Is studied, and
opportunity was given this week to
Archibald S. Hurd. the British naval
writer, to obtain from the British
first sea lord his opinion upon this
/ new departure on the part of the
| Germans and its effect upon the naval
situation generally.
Secrecy is an essential element OF
| in naval warfare. but there are times
| when a chief of STAFF can speak with
necessary reserve without giving In
formation to the enemy. In demo-
| cratic countries the leaders of the
! fighting forces must carry public
opinion with them. That has been the
policy adopted in increasing measure
/ by the present board of the admiralty.
The first sea lord was bending over
| a table at work when the interviewer
entered the room. He had cast aside
his coat and waistcoat owing to the
heat Of the afternoon, the windows
were open. and there was about the
admiral fresh-air atmosphere.
This development should not be
taken very seriously" he said, in
reply to a general inquiry as to what
Importance he attached to the Ger
man sinking of shipping off the
American coast.
Too Far From Bases.
'If I were inclined to bet, I should
say there has not been more than one
submarine off the american coast. 1
may be wrong, but that is the impress
sion have formed. That conclusion
fits in with my Interpretation OF the
enemy's object.
The Germans cannot hope to main
tain anything in the character Of a
blockade. The distance is too great
from their bases
fThe enemy has merely made a
demonstration with the hope of caus-
ing us to decentralize our efforts to
put down the submarine. His object is
to frighten the American people in
the hope that they may exert their
influence on their naval authorities.
"You will remember that Napoleon
declared that 'exclusiveness of pur-
pose Is the secret of great successes
and of great operations. Now, II
the Germans could cause dispersal
of naval force this demonstration OF
the American coast would achieve its
purpose.
Holds to Two Principles.
} "I hold firmly to two principles. AS
chief of the stan 1 believe firmly in
decentralization in administration,
but as chief of staff I also believe as
firmly in the naturalization of effort
against the enemy. ] think 1t was
Admiral Mahan who sadt said + that the
chase nor to fly, but to control the
seas.
Now, with that statement in mind.
glance at an ordinary school atlas. IT
you have not got what the Germans
would call war map handy. You
will observe that the central powers
have formed a block in Europe run
ming down from the North sea to the
Adriatic and to the point where the
Dardanelles debouches into the Med
terranean. Any submarine to reach
the American coast has to pass either
to the north or south OF the British
Isles or along the Mediterranean.
. where Gibraltar stands sentinel over
the narrow exit.
"That atlas is illuminating. It in
dicates sound strategic methods Of
dealing with the submarine campaign.
We must fight the U-boat in the mar
row seas. In other words we must
in whatsis really the decisive area.
THE Germans, you may be sure,
have been studying the charts. and
| in sending one OF tnelr SO-CalIeQ sub
) marine cruisers to the American coast
they thought to raise an outcry in the
J United States against the policy which
} is now being pursued of fighting the
= submarine in the narrow seas.
Already Have Failed.
"Well, I Judge both from the Off
cfa1 Information and cable dispatches
in the newspapers that they have al
ready failed in their purpose. 1t
looks as though they had merely
brought the war home to the Ameri-
: can people, reminding them in this
dramatic way that the seas are all one
, and that they have a common inter-
/ est with us and the other allies in
conuuerfng the power which invented
} this modern form of piracy. That
represents another defeat for the Ger
mans.
1--WE shall have to wait on events be-
fore final judgment can be formed as to
whether the enemy will persist in this
new policy. ] am not inclined to take
: the business seriously. 1t cannot be
serious in relation to the immense
, volume Of sea traffic between the
, United States and Europe. But / must
| enter one caveat. The proper policy
Il. as. I have said. centralization Of
(Continued on Eighth Page.5