Evening star., 1918-06-04
Entrance to Chesapeake Bay
Guarded by Patrol and
Barred by Nets.
NO WAY OF GETTING IN
WITHOUT DISCOVERY
Navigation Only Partially Halted.
Up to Rear Admiral Mclean, at
Jamestown Station.

There is not the remotest chance of
German submarines entering Chesa-
peake bay or the lower Potomac river.
This is the confident belief Of Navy
Department officials.
To attempt to force an entrance
through the Virginia capes, it was as
serted, would be practically suicidal.
Even if U-boats we're able to gain en-
trance to Chesapeake bay, it was
pointed out, it would be practically i'm
possible for them, or for any enemy
craft, to pass through the carefully
protected and guarded waters leading
to the National Capital or to Annapo-
lis or Baltimore.
The mouth of Chesapeake bay, it Is
known, is completely screened by pa
troll boats Of all kinds. Submarine
nets have been laid SO as to make 1t
impossible for submarines to pass
without giving warning.
Navigation Not All Held Up.
Chesapeake bay is not entirely
closed to navigation as consequence
of the submarine menace. All ship
ping in that district. however. Is sub
ject to restrictions enforced by har-
Dor authorities. The same rule applies
to New York. Boston and other ports
on the Atlap..e coast.
The restrictions are purposely with
held from publication. but are COM
municated to those interested. 1t is
sufficient to say that navigation IL re-
stricted, but not embargoed entirely.
According to naval officials. 1t Will
be for Rear Admiral Walter Mclean,
the fifth naval district.
station, to determine whether the
mouth of the Chesapeake shall be
closed entirely during the present
menace. The question OF
the protection Of the shipping of that
district is left to his discretion. Il,
lower Potomac are in that naval dis
trict. These statements were made
at the Navy Department In connec-
tion with the action in closing the
harbors Of New. York and Boston.
District Commandant in Control.
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt said
that naval commanders in the north
Atlantic districts had acted solely
upon their own initiative In holding
up outgoing ship movements. He said
that under the present naval organi-
cation these commanders are given
authority to take such steps in that
direction as their information may
warrant, and that Admiral Mclean
has the same authority as his col
leagues.
Each naval district commander Is
kept fully informed, not only from
Washington, but from his associates
along the coast. of every known
movement of enemy submarines. That
information is wirelessed to these
officers not only by the shore COM
manders, but by the officers who are
securing the seas.
Should 1t become apparent that the
C-boats operating of the Atlantic
coast might be lying in wait of the
capes, Admiral Mclean probably would
close the mouth Of the Chesapeake en-
tirely until it was found safe for vessels
to proceed.
Northbound Shipping Held.
Omcials here are Of opinion. how
ever, that southbound shipping from
the Virginia capes may not be ma
terially interfered with at present
All vessels headed north from Cape
Charles undoubtedly will be detained
in Hampton roads until the situation
clears. Overseas shipping. provided
1t is armed or conveyed. doubtless
may be permitted to sail under cer-
tain conditions.
1t is declared that there Is no likeli-
hood that bay shipping itself will be
subjected to the submarine risks or
city and lower Potomac ports will be
NJ q aYfared with q