The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-06-04
j. 5. NAVY HAD
bEEN0NWhTCH
THE SUBS
Widespread Rumors of German
U-BOats Believed Been
Spread for Purpose.
TO DEMORALIZE
TRANSPORT WORK
Some Officers Believe That Base;
Been Established in the
Southern Gulf.

WASHlNNI1ON. JuU6 O--lI 10 po-
lieved that the widespread rumors OF
German submarines near the American
coast, prevalent for the hast three
weeks, were the work OF German SYM
pathizers or spies who had advance
knowledge of the raid and spread the
reports to demoralize shipping and
possibly retard transport service.
There are indications that the navy
department has been watching closely
reports of the appearance Of enemy
U-boats in unexpected places for some
time and the possibility of the arrival
of the craft off the American ports
was foreseen.
Some officers believe that a base has
been established, possibly on some des-
olate island to the south or in a hidden
bay Others are convinced that the
submarines are working out or the
German bases.
Those officials who believe that
bases had been established in the Mex
lean gulf or in the West Indies de-
clared today's raid fully demonstrated
their theory that the submarines which
participated In yesterdays attack were
on their way to the base in the South,
having for their immediate object the
long lines of oil tankers carrying fuel
10 THE allies UdNfSS from dIIlnlcO.
Although there have been frequent
rumors of submarines having crossed
the Atlantic since America entered the
war none has actually before attacked
American shipping on this side OF the
Atlantic. In October 1916. the German
submarine U-53 after visiting Newport,
n. Z. lay in wait for British shipping
off Nantucket lightship and got six
victims
The submarines undoubtedly were
looking for American transports. Hav-
ing been checked by the American de-
stroyer flotilla in the war zone, thel
German admiralty apparently has con-
cluded to carry the submarine war
fare to the doors of America in hope
of stopping the flow of troops which
turn the balance against the central
powers on the Western battle front
II the German admiralty expects toi
find the American ports unprotected
because a great force of American de- |
stroyers has been concentrated in the
war zone around the British isles, it
will be mistaken. naval officials say
While the anti-submarine craft In the
war zone are in large number, the
protection of the steamer lanes on this
side of the Atlantic has not been over
looked and 1t is said that there are ade-
quate forces in home waters TO meet
them.
Recurrent reports of German subma-
rines on this side of the Atlantic have
been closely examined by the navy de-
partmenS during the last week Re
ports of one German submarine near
the Virginia capes were current along
Hampton Roads Saturday night 1t was
said navy flying boats. submarine chas-
ers and other anfi-submarine craft in
that district Immediately went TO sea
in search OF the raiders
The master of British vessel ar
riving at Norfolk on May ~ reportedi
having fired some shots at a subma-i
rine about $50 miles off Cape Henry.
Other incoming ships at Atlantic ports
for the last few DAYS have also
brought reports of sighting submarines
A navy department statement an
the sinkings says:
The navy department has been in
formed that three American schooners
nave been sunk off this coast by enc
ny submarines.
THE steamship Bristol, arriving at
New York this morning reported that
the four masted schooner Edward H.
Cole was sunk by submarines at 80
- hAss my
IF Barnegat, N. J., and that the Bris-l
.ol rescued the crew and brought them
10 port.
1T also rescued thA crew OF anotheri
sailing vessel which was sunk. Thel
Bristol reported that she encountered a
thirty-eight miles off Barne-l ,
yat at 4 20 p. m. Sunday and that two ,
submarines were operating in that To-,
,ality.
The steamship Grecian reported ,
hat the schooner Jacob S. Haskell was ,
Junk by gunfire by a German subma-t ,
'ine in the same general vicinity at :
loon Sunday. The crew was rescued. |
1T was also reported Isabelle d.
Wiley was shelled by subcarines
Captain Newcomb OF the Cole, stat
ID that his vessel was attacked by a
ierman submarine which boarded him..
ook away his papers and placed
combs on board. The captain and
rev took to the boats Captain New
omb stated that the submarine which, I,
ttacked him was about 200 feet longI 4
nd carried two large guns, one for
Yard and one aft, and a smaller guni
He states that he saw dis-l ]
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