The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-06-03
GERMAN j BOAT FLEET NOW AT WORK
ON EASTERN COAST OF UNITED STATES
I'm SUBMARINES On THIS SIDE
SEND AMERICAN SHIPS To BOTTOM

~ ~ OUIIOU
Captain II. G. Newcombe, Of the
Edwin n. Cole, declared that two Y
boats flying the German naval en-.
sign, captured his ship after firing a
shot across his bows; gave the men
ten minutes to abandon ship, then
blew up the vessel with bombs.
AS the Americans were taking to
the small boats, they saw one OF the
submarines turn aside and start Oft
in pursuit Of steamer.
Officials Of the port OF New York
ordered all ships to remain in the
harbor. The submarine net was
swung across the harbor entrance.
This followed receipt Of information
| that number of ships, Including
three schooners, had been destroyed.
There was also a report, credited to
,the Maritime Exchange, that the toll
ran as high as fifteen ships.
The Maritime Exchange is under
stood to have list Of fifteen vessels
which have been sunk. It will be
made public when permission from
naval authorities is secured.
Sailors Of the Cole had no oppor-
tunity to talk to the Germans, but
they declared the U boats were very
bold; that they carried guns forward
and remained on the surface of the
water to get greater speed.
The Ward liner Esparanza arrived
here today without having seen sub
marines. The captain said he was
detained at Havana fifteen days on
account Of submarines being reported
nearby.
At Boston the collector Of the port
received information that one Of the
submarines had been caught and that
It was being taken to New York by
naval vessels.
The chief Of staff Of the third naval
district and theN conmandapt Of the
Brooklyn navy yard, said they had re-
ceived only vague reports of the al
legged submarine operations. Some
Of these, they said, placed the toll
Of victims as high as fifteen ships.
The chief Of staff said no submarine
chasers had been sent out from New
York so far as he knew, aside from
those which are constantly patroiIing
the coast.
SEVEN VESSELS VICTIMS.
NEW YORK, June 3.-Seven ves-
sells were reported victims Of German
submarines off the Jersey and New
England coasts UP to two o'clock this
afternoon and there was possibility
that the number might increase to fif-
teen as fuller reports are received.
Despite this heavy toll, officials
doubtedIy were sent into American
fore their. mission was apparently a
failure.
U boats attacked merchant ships at |
various places, one schooner being /
sunk seventy-five miles off Atlantic |
New Jersey, and two tank !
steamers about $50 miles at sea.
The navy department reported two
more schooners blown up, and sailors
3f the Edwin II. Cole, which was sunk, !
said they saw submarine closely pur-
suing steamer.
One Reported Captured.
BOSTON, June 3.-Reports received
here this afternoon added the Caro-
ina to the list of ships reported sunk
, ffthe New Jersey coast.
There are seven ships of that name /
six steamers and one bark. Two Of
he steamers are American vessels,
he largest having tonnage of 5,o93.
A report was also received that one
If the German submarines has been
or sunk. II
It was rumored this afternoon that
ship had been sunk by German J
;uomar rine of Cape Cod.
The port Of Provinceton has been ,
,losed. y
Report Of Three Sunk.
WASHINGTON. June 3.-Report |
hat three American vessels-schoon-
rs-have been sunk off the American {
oast by the German Q boats. was Of /
cially announced by the navy depart {
nent today. t
A full statement of the depart f
nent's information on the reports q
rst definite word that the Germans T
re actually operating in waters near t
.merica-was promised soon. a
The startling news that q boats v
ave gone so far atield as to actually
ONE within fifty miles of the New {
ersey coast, came as shock to
Washington. The report spread rap \
iIy throughout congressional and dip d
,matic circles where it was the fore v
lost topic under discussion. j
That the navy department already t
as acted against the enemy threat r
as learned First information of
ne presence of the q boats reached S