The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-04-24

London, April 24.-Two des.
troyers got inside the mole al
Zeebrugge and blew up the dock
gate, the correspondent at Dover
of the Daily Mail reports. The
feat, he says, seems incredible,
but there appears to be no doubt
about it. Some of the men who
took part in it say they saw the
waters Ofthe Bruges canal run
ming out after the gate was des-
troyed and the vessels in the
dock straining at their hawsers.
Washington, D. e.. April 23.-Ameri
can naval officers eagerly await the
full story of the successful French
British naval blow against the Ger.
man destroyers and U-boat bases on
the Belgian coast. The impression
prevails here. supported by certain
facts regarding American naval pre-
parations, that carefully planned nav.
al offensive against the U-boats has
begun and is to be pressed vigorous
ly until the underwater raiders are
bottled up or checked to such an eX-
tent their operations will no longer
be serious factor.
There is nothing to indicate the
navy department had any advance in
formation as to the operations at 3s ee-
hVssV0 a. CT ic
ever, officials here have been antici-
pating developments in the anti-sub-
marine warfare within the netX few
weeks that. would establish a definite
check on the U-boats. American CO.
operation in this effort is being ex-
tended in various ways which cannot
be disclosed.
Many Plans Suggested.
1t has long been the belief of many
officers here that much could be done
toward bottling up the U-boats at
their SOurce-their bases on the Bel
gian. coast. The means to this end
suggested have been many, including
mine fields, increased numbers of light
surface patrol craft, new detection de
vices, aircraft and submarines. All Of
these and other elements enter into
whatever plan of operations he nav
al supreme council has formed.
The raid is the most daring attempt
ed by the allied sea forces in some re-
spects during the war and the fact
that landing parties were successfully
put ashore and the survivors reenl-
parked in the fact OF German batteries
and troops shows, officers here say,
that nothing should be viewed as inn
possible until it has been tried out.
Mine Sweepers Excluded.
It was suggested today that the
recent raid against trawlers by Brit
ish ships was a part of the general
plan for aggressive action. The Ger.
man light craft were engaged in mine
sweeping. BY their destruction, the
German U-boats and heavy craft were
excluded from the portion Of the sea
where the engagements occurred IN,
til other wasy to remove the mines
could be provided. Presumably the
allied naval forces now are preparing
to mine the Belgian and German
coasts thoroughly, backing up the
mines with guard of heavy ships to
beat off the German fleet should it
come out, and with numerous smaller
craft to drive off or destroy mine
sweepers that attempt to clear lanes
for the U-boats. The sinking Of con-
crete-laden ships in the entrance to
Zeebrugge canal might shut in des-
troyers and U-boats based there, and
cd foh fn
vent the removal Of the distractions.
II the channel was not completely
closed at the first attempt further eff
forts are to be expected.
German Coast PenetrabIe.
Some officers thought it probable
the Germans had removed some of
their shore batteries for use in the
fighting in Flanders. This might have
caused the allies to move just at this
time and account for the boldness Of
the operations.
Since the raid shows the German
coast defensese are not inyulnerable
to some officers, this action is looked
upon as forecasting the possibility Of
an attempt to force a landing in the
rear of the German line, thus turn.
ing the flank of the whole German
position in Flanders. That possibility
has been discussed widely ever since
the deadlock of trench warfare be-
gan.
London, April 23:-Sir Eric Geddes,
first lord Of the admiralty, in supple.
1nenting the admiralty report on last
nights raid against Zeebrugge and
Ostend, said in giving the house of
commons such information as had
come to hand of this extremely gal
liant and hazardous raid" ..
II ask the members to appreciate
that most of the officers and men from
whom we have got to get the informa'
ton have been fighting the greater
part Of the night and that some OF
them are not yet in.
''French 'destroyers cooperated with
the British forces. Six obsolete cruis
ers, all from 20 to 80 years old, took
part in the attack. ....
''The plan was, after an intense
bombardment Of Zeebrugge by the