Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1918-01-30
GERMAN U-BOATS
LhUCK IN NEW ZONES
Extension Of Submarine &c.
tivity Menace TO Neutral
Shipping
UNITED STATES
NOT WORRYING


celved in neutral diplomatic circles in
dictate that Germany contemplates ex-
tending the zone OF submarine oper-
atlons To such a degree that special
arrangements with Germany may have
TO be entered into to protect neutral
shipping from the U-boats. which
virtually will run amuck- Formal
notification has been given the State
Department by the Swiss legation here.
acting as intermediary for the German
Government. that ION and after Janu-
array #, 1918, a new zone OF sea Is de-
clared blockaded laround the enemy
port Of support in Cape Verde Islands
and Dakar and the adjoining COASTS"
The German communication adds:
THE zone IS bounded as follows /:
From tho Cape Paimas lighthouse to-
ward the point 10 degrees zero minute
north % degrees, 30 minutes west to
the point A. degrees zero minutes
north. 90 degrees 30 minutes west to
the point % degrees, 30 minutes north
70 the point IS degrees 80 minutes
west: there the line follows the parallel
90 degrees 30 minutes west latitude
. .O.tnOastNa a. dly as far as the point
where that parallel strikes the western
: coast OF Africa.
ION the same date the zone blocksded
around the Azores Will be extended
eastward as far as Madeira Island,
which is used by our enemies as a
point Of support. Sc"
The extension OF the U-boat zones
does not particularly worry officials OF
the United States Government. The
strategy Of the U-boat campaign has
been dictated, Il Is said, by q policy OF
operating along sec lanes where traffic
Is thickest and tie waters near the
British isles have been selected rs a
consequence. Any submarines taken
from here to be used In extended zones
would relieve Just that much the pres
sure which Germany has attempted 10
exert In the restricted so-callcd war
one.
The prospective attacks against The
American supply or transport service
10 France would not be affected by the
new decree.
In the twelve morths Of unrestricted
warfare launched against American and
allied shipping By Germany Que yea
ago Friday there have been sunk BY
submarines, mines and raiders 8.
American vessels, totalling i7i,06i gross
tons. according 70 O compilation o.
records OF slnkings which have beer
made public during the period.
Onsettlng this loss the United State
since February has added 70 her mer
NaLn nafr knn he cal ~
German and Austrian owned ships
total OF i07 vessels, having a Gross ton
mage OF 6S6,59i, leaving on the credl
, side Of the American ledger a net gall
OF Si5,43 gross tons The loss Of M
caused by the sinking Of American
ships was more than 800 persons.
Records OF the Department Of Com
merce show that Tor the period begin
, ming with February 4, 1871. and endinl
with December 1 there were clearel
, from American ports in the foreigl
, trade ships aggregating i7.73S,90e net
, or approximately 2is3i,A00 gross tons
: The number Of ships making up In
total OF tons was not made public.
Further offsetting the Joss Of tonnag
, by submarine warfore the United State
. requlsltioned in American shipya-ds az
! vessels. totalling more than 100000
: gross tons, and contracts have bee
awarded for ssl ships, which are bein
I rushed 20 completion. In addition IN
Shipping Board on October - las
! placed under Government reduisitio
! 1913 American vessels Of over 300 ton
p dead weight capacity which wer
anoat
The announced sinkings OF Births
, ships for the year up to and includln
= the week ending January % have bee
Z a. 93 vessels, Of which 763 were owe
, 1000 tons and 27O were under that ff
y ure The joint losses Of France an
s Italy have averaged three 10 four lars
= vessels weekly.