South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-05-31
.DESTROYERS STOP
U-BOAT DAMAGE
American Ships Make Life
Miserable for Crews of
German Submarines.

WASHINGTON. May q. - This
month marks the first anniversary Of
the arrival of Americas destroyer
fleets in foreign waters.
In the year that has Ella psed--dur-
ing year that an inert nation has
shaken of its lethargy and mobil-
lied its resources in men and ma
terisls for the great war-the fleets
have operated effectively in convoy
ing transports and Riding the sea
lanes OF the lurking submarines
Detailed descriptions or narratives
OF the work and exploits OF Vice Ad-
mira Sims fleets have not been re-
vealed Sporadically the news cables
have carried a succinct dispatch tell
ing OF an engagement between an
American destroyer and a suoma
rine. but the navy department still
confines TO its archives the running
story or American naval achieve
ticipation in the war
some day the entire story will be
published. and the nation will thrill
with pride for the boys who wore
the blue. To tell effectively. yet
briefly how successful has been the
watch Of Britain's and Americas de-
stroyer fleets, ii is necessary only TO
point out that the vaunted offensive
which was 10 have accompanied the
great drive in the west this spring IL
bringing the allied world 10 its
l. $50.
may it be said. it has proved an al
most utter failure.
Germans Prepared Submarines.
During the past winter, German
newspapers frankly disclosed that
the sea marauders were being re-
called 70 their home ports so they
might be repaired. reftted and over
hauled in preparation for cam
paign that would sweep the Atlantic
routes clear of all transports and
supply ships. Presumably Won Tir-
pitt. the apostle of ruthless subma-
rine warfare. had his sea-rovers
raiders left port with the plaudits
OF cheering crowds ringing in their
ears And now. presume bly, the
L boats have returned with a
mighty slim list Of victories 20
report
The destroyer fleets have been on
the job
Warfare on helpless merchant
craft still continues. But. the Ger
man submarine commander has
grown exceedingly wary about COM
fr,-
is positive that no allied destroyers
are in the vicinity. In fact the sub
marine is getting increasingly re-
luctant about exposing any part or
its hide 20 the 1isconcertinglv eff
fective gunfire Of British or Ameri-
can naval craft. Weekly a few Ia Dor
ing ira mps fall victim 10 the U-boa Is.
However. the number Of sinkings is
decreasing at a rate that induces
confidence in the ability Of the allies
70 minimize ne submarine menace.
The destroy. patrol the trade
routes with a visDance that
does not permit the submarine 10
break surface very often. \ peri
scope draws deluge Of gunire,
while the area in which the undersea
craft last was seen is converted
rapidly into a whirlins field Of spray
ty depth bombs During the year
that the American destroy ers have
been cunning" for U-boats there
has occurred one incident that will
live long in naval annals. It's the
story Of the Tanning.
Story or the Fanning.
When the enemy was sighted by
the ever-vig ilant lookout, shells from
the Americans guns we're rained on
the sObmersible i'm such volume that
she was compelled TO come 10 the
surface and run up the signal of sur
render The creW-men who glee-
fully had watched a torpedo blast its
way into the bowels Of helpless
merchantman--lined up on the deck
OF their fast-sinking boat, held up
their hands in abject terror and
begged for mercy. They were saved
but American boys were compelled
i'm some cases 10 leap over board to
save their enemies from drowning
The announcement recently bv
Sec'v Daniels that American war
ships are operating now with the
British high seas feet in keeping the
German navy safe behind the bar
riers OF Kiel. brings renewed .assur-
ance that the American navy il
maintaining its glorious traditions.
Apparently the German general
star il DESTROYS OF keeping the feet
| intact, 50 the prospect Of American
deadnaughts engaging with enemy
craft is not encouraging ar present.
The British have been watching
and waiting for four long wears for
/ the German feet to come out and
give battle If the Germans ever are
/ induced 70 leave the protection of
their mine fields and get OFT in the
wide reaches Of the North sea. sea
battle will be staged il is predicted
! that will make the encounter at Jut-
! land resemble a skirmish.
JUST 4 REMINDER