The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-05-28
u. S. DESTROYERS
VERY EFFECTIVE
There Has Been Little Publicity About
What They Have Been Doing, But
It is Certain They Have Been
ION the lob"

Washington, D. C., MAY 2s.-Thi.
month marks the first anniversary OF
the arrival Of Americas destroyers fleets
in foreign waters.
In the year that has elapsed during
a year that an inert nation has shaken
off its lethargy and modified its re.
sources in men and materials for the
great war--the fleets have operated effec.
lively in conveying transports and rid
ding the sea lanes OF the lurking subma.
rines.
Detailed description or narratives of
the work and exploits OF Admiral Sims
| fleets have not been revealed Sporadi.
oally the news cables have carried sue.
cinct dispatch telling Of an engagement
between an American destroyer and a
submarine, but the navy department still
confines TO its archives the running story
of American naval achievements during
the first years participation in the war,
Some day the entire story will be pub
lished and the nation viii thrill with
pride for the boys who wore the blue
To tell effectively, yet briefly, how sue.
cessful has been the watch of Britain's
and Americas destroyer fleets, it is
necessary only to point out that the
vaunted. offensive which was to have ac-
companied the great drive in the west
this spring in bringing the allied world
10 it's knees, has not materialized. Even,
may il be said, it has proved an almost
utter failure,
During the past winter, German news.
papers frankly disclosed that the sea
marauders were being recalled to their |
home ports so they might be repaired, |
rehtted and overhauled in preparation
for campaign that would sweep the At. |
lantic route clear of all transports and |
supply ships. Presumably Won Tirpitz,
the apostle of ruthless submarine war.
fare, had his earovers carefully re-
paired. Presumably the raiders left port
with the plaudits of cheering crowds
ringing in their ears. And, now, presum.
ably, the Uboats have returned with /
a mighty slim list Of victories to re.
port.
The destroyer fleets have been on the
job
Warfare on helpless merchant craft
still continues. But, the German subma-
rine commander has grown exceedingly
wary about coming to the surface un.
less assurance is positive that no allied
destroyers are in the vicinity. In fact, the
is getting increasingly reluctant
about exposing any part Of its hide
to the disconcertingly effective gunfre of
British or American naval craft. Weekly
a few laboring tramps fall victim to
the U-boats. However, the number of
sinkings is decreasing at a rate that in
iuces confidence in the ability of the al
les to minimize the submarine men.
ice. The destroyers patrol the trade
-outes with vigilance that does not
PERMIT the submarine to break surface
1ery often. A periscope draws a deluge
II gun fire, while the area in which the
inderseas craft last was seen is con-
-erted rapidly into whirling field of
pray by depth bombs. During the year
hat the American destroyers have been
cunning" for U-boats there has oc. II
urred one incident that will live in naval II
nnals. It's the story of the Tanning. III
When the enemy was sighted by the II
yer -vigilant lookout shells from the II
american guns were rained on the sub II
nersible in such volume that she was II
ompelled to come to the surface and III
un up the signal of surrender. The
rev Notwithstanding up on the III
eek of their fast.sinking boat. held up
heir hands in abject terror and begged
Or mercy. They were saved, but Amer
an boys were compelled in some cases
D leap overheard to save their enemies
-om drowning.
The announcement recently by Score.
iry Daniels that American warships are
perating now with the British high seas
eet in keeping the German navy safe
shind the barriers of Kiel, brings re-
swed assurance that the American navy II
maintaining it glorious traditions II
Apparently the German general staff II
desirious of keeping the feet intact. II
, the prospect of American dread
lughts engaging with enemy craft is
u encouraging al present. iii
The British have been watching and II
aiting for four long years for the Ger
an feet TO come out and give battle.
the Germans ever are induced to leave
q. protection Of their mine-felds and II
{ out IN the wide reaches Of the Nortl !,
q, sea battle will be staged, il is pre-
cted, thst viii make the encounter at
Itland resemble q skirmish. Z