The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-06-03
TO ATTACK N. "?
Possibility of Sub Raid Given
Consideration Today.
Germans Might Try 1t To Affect
u. 8. Morale.

New York, June 3.-Announcement
of the operations of German subma-
rines seventy-five miles Oft the New
Jersey coast. led today to speculation
as to a possible attack on New York.
Possibility of any submarine pene-
trating the nets and other defenses in
the lover ha-bor was Immediately dis
counted.
The authorities, however. considered
the possibility of an air raid by air
planes launched from the deck of
submarine. This theory has been
widely discussed in the past and its
practicability is admitted by some ex-
perts on naval matters.
American military officials have so
accepted such a possibility, in fact.
that anti-aircraft guns long have been
established at strategic points around
New York City and its environs, ac-
cording to reliable reports.
In case the Huns should attempt to
bomb New York, it is agreed that 1t
would be merely for the effect on
American morale, rather than because
of any military reason.
Small Subs Can Cross.
American naval officials know from
| their own experience that small u
boats At even less than 500 tons. the
German standard craft, can cross the
seas. Not only did the U-53 visit New
port before the United States entered
the war, but since then q considerable
| number of American submarines have
been sent over to join the patrol of the
North sea and the French and Irish
coasts.
submarine that shows 200 feet on
the surface and two guns hardly JUS
titles the opinion. it is said. that new
style of marines has been sighted. The
regular German craft meet that de-
scription.
The operations of the submarines
was reported to the house by Chair
man Padgett of the naval committee.
The news created a great stir.
The effect sought would be to i'm
troops it was suggested. and also to
start terrorization campaign in the
United States.
At any rate the U-boats took a safe
course for themselves in attacking
coasting schooners on a coast where
they know a steady stream of heavily
laden troop transports and munitions
laden vessels is putting out every day.
By doing so they served notice on the
country that they had arrived and at
the same time did not expose them
selves to danger from armed and con-
voyed vessels. Some officials thought
that if the attacks were more than a
raid nothing could have induced the
. enemy even to allow the coasting YES
!, sells to sight him. He would have as
sailed convoy of troop vessels. re-
lying upon surprise to give him a good
} bag even IL he later sunk himself.
Report One U-Boat Down.
Reports received this Afternoon add
ed the Carolina to the list of ships re-
ported sunk off the New Jersey coast.
There are seven ships of that name
six steamers and one bark. Two of
the steamers are American vessels. the
largest having tonnage of 5,O93. J-
A renOrt WAS also received that one
of the German submarines has been
lcaptured or sunk.
1t was rumored this afternoon that
a ship had been sunk by a German
submarine off Cape Coo.
The port of Provincetown has been
closed.
= The New York and Porto Rico
Steamship company was advised this
} afternoon from Washington that the
, Carolina had been shelled by a SUBJ
| marine and that the passengers had
taken to the boats.
Another Passenger Ship Down.
New York, June 3.-The City of
Columbus, a passenger ship in the
Atlantic coast trade is reported to
have been sunk.
No New England Sinkings.
/ Boston. June 3.-Naval authorities
announced at p. m. this afternoon
5 that no American vessels had been
sunk off the New England coast
Cole Crew All SAFE.
Boston, June Captain New
cofnbe of the schooner Edwin H. Cole.
sunk by submarine off the coast,
telephoned owners of the vessels here
today to report all hands safe.
He said the German commander
| gave the crew ten minutes to ADAM
don the ship, but that they were all
clear in half that time. The Cole was
freighter, carrying a cargo of $500
: tons of coal from Norfolk to Port
land, Me.
New York Stock Market.
L c. .rl- ItIn