Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-06-06
ONLY DEFENSELESS
COASTERS SUNK
Washington Officials View New
U.Boat Attacks As Berlin's
Forlorn Hope

Washington, June 3.--Gsrmany at
last has brought her submarine war.
fare to the shores Of the United States,
apparently in forlorn hope of strik-
ing telling blows on this side of the
Atlantic and of drawing home some Of
the American naval forces from the
war zones where the U-boat menace
is being slowly but surely strangled
to death.
In the attacks upon coasting ves-
sells almost in sight of the New Jer-
sey shore reported to-day, navy Of
ficials see frantic admission from
Berlin that the submarine has failed.
American armed power is rolling over
seas in ever increasing force, despite
the utmost exertions of the under sea
pirates off the coasts of Europe.
Now the raiders have crossed the seas
and lurked for days near Americas
greatest ports. They no doubt were sent
to sink transports, but here again they
failed. Blocked off the troop ships by con.
voy craft they have turned in fury
against defenceless coasters. In all the
record of destruction they have written.
the raiding party has struck al no vessels
bound overseas and therefore armed for
fight. Only ships that could not hit back
have been attacked. The only one Of
half a score Of vessels probably sent to
the bottom that had any real military
value in ship or cargo was an oil tanker.
Secretary Daniels went to the capital
during the day to tell members of the
House naval committee that the raid was
designed to brighten the American people
into demanding the return of war vessels
from the other side He gave assurance
that Congress need have no apprehension
as to protection of the American coast.
and that there will be no recall of forces
from the war zone.
Persistent reports that one Of the two
raiders reported had been sunk and the
other captured were in circulation nearly
all day.
The department had nothing to con-
firm them.
At first. as the reports Of sinkings
began coming in, there was talk of L.
boat fleets attempting to block every
embarkation port to prevent American
reinforcements from reaching the battle
front. AS the tale Of snkings unfolded.
however, it became probable that not
more than one or two raiders were at
work. and that the operations Of yester-
day and to-day were confined to a mar
row zone off the New Jersey shore.
Later came the landing of the men held
prisoner for days on the U-boats and
confirmation Of previous rumors that
three derelict schooners picked up off the
Virginia capes nearly a week ago had
| been wrecked by an enemy submarine.
| That disclosed the fact that the enemy
had been lurking 60 or 20 miles off the
coast for probably two weeks at least,
hoping for a chance at a troop ship.
Secretary Daniels said the navy de-
| partment had received many unconfrmed
! reports Of Uboats off the coast recently.
AS precaution against continued
! raiding on the coast. the question Of
! arming all coastwise shipping was
taken up to-day Secretary McAdoo
had the matter under consideration for
railroad vessels under his authority.
Steps to put guns aboard all craft may
be taken without delay.
| To.day's news revived speculation
over the fate Of the missing naval col
| lier Cyclops which has not been heard
from since she sailed from Azores three
months ago. Navy officials. however.
saw no clue to the solution OF the mys-
terry in the appearance of the sub
marine raiders, which probably were
in Europe when the collier disappeared.