Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-06-04
GERMANS AIMED
TO TERR|FY |. s.
BY U-BOAT RAID
Also Sought to Sink Laden Trans
ports Conveying Our Soldiers
to the Battle Fronts.
REGARD PLAN AS FAILURE
y Associated Press TO Every Evening

by Associated Press to Every Evening
Washington, June ! Attempts OF
Germany to carry her submarine warfare
TO America through the deprcdatlons
reported yesterday of undersea craft
upon coastwise shipping off the New
Jersey shore and thereby check the
increasing flow OF troops to France and
put fear into the hearts of the American
people, will be retroactive.
This became apparent last night as
government officials and the public viewed
in calm light tho latest visitation of the
mailed fist which based on what ~
believed TO have been the purpose of the
German war heads was a complete failure.
Reports received bv the Navy Depart
mcnt early today showed that five sailing
vessels and the tinker Herbert l. Pratt
represented the German boat toll off
the Atlantic Coast The destruction Of
FIVE other vessels. all Of small tonnage.
had been reported unofticially TO the
department The fate of the coastwise
liner Carolina. which reported by wireless
Yesterday that she was being SHIELDED was
still unknown Official reports showed
that the attacks which il had not been
determined were made by one or by more
submarines, had resulted IN no loss of
lfc
The Navy Department reports showed
tho loss Of the following vessels: Jacob
NJ Haskell, Isabel b. Wiley, Hattie
Dunn. Edward II. Cole. The Edna. and
Herbert l.. Pratt The crews Of all have
been landed safely.
Officials pointed out that with only
small loss in tonnage, and no casualties
unless there should be further sinklngs
IL II -, III
The chief purpose of the German RAID
ing party, il was believed bv officials was
to sink transports soon after the troop
ships left their home ports the activity
Of British and American destroyers
having made hunting III the old grounds
on the other side Of the Atlantic too
dangerous to be profitable This it was
considered the German plan had primarily
resulted in defeat,
The other purpose Of the Germans IT
was believed, was % strike fear into the
hearts Of the American people There
was no doubt IN the minds Of the officials
there that this purpose also had failed
altogether OF achievement.
Reports from Atlantic coast cities
showing that enlistment in the navy, and
naval reserve had increased Yesterday
and the temper Of editorials IN the press
Of the nation was the basis OF the feeling
that at no time have the American people
had such strong determination 70 carry
the war to a successful end
In compliance with orders issued
Yesterday. armed craft and 9eapIanes
continued their search today for the
Germans
AS TO the number Of U-boats taking
part in the raid on American coastwise
shipping, officials here were undetermined
today. but were inclined 70 the view that
all OF the vessels were sunk by one sub
marine.
Navy Officials at Norfolk, however.
believe that from two 10 FIVE undersea
craft were engaged
Officials continued today 70 consider
the ACCESSIBILITY Of arming all ooastwise
shipping in preparation for raidlng opera
tlons along the coast.