Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-10-15
Build More
 DeStrOyerS
 Says Geddes
Makes Appeal to America After Conference With
 Secretary Daniels.
By Associated Press.

New York, Oct. '14-An appeal to the government of America to eXpe- dite the construction of destroyers and anti-submarine craft and appli- ances. was made here today by Sir Eric Geddes, first lord of the British admiralty. after he had asserted tina the U-boat menace of today is "greater than it ever was"
 Speaking at q dinner given by the Pilgrim society, Sir Eric said that within the last few days, he and vice Admiral Sir Ludovic Duff of the navy had discussed the naval situation in all it's bearings with Secretary Dan iels and Admiral Benson, and that complete unity of views" had been reached.
 It is with MT. Daniels full concur renee that now make this state ment that there is no greater service than can be rendered by the civilians of the United States today charged with that privilege and duty, than to expedite the output of destroyers and anti-submarine craft and appliances of every description" Sir Eric said.
 Discussing Germany's submarine menace, Sir Eric declared that while most men say today that it is a thing of the past," in the British Ad- miralty's opinion the menace is one that comes and goes and that it is today not dead.
 Indeed, it is greater today than it ever was." he warned.
 ""rhat is to say, the effort is greater than it ever was.
 q think now we are approaching a point where submorine warfare is the weakest front of the a.lies.' Sir Eric said that, while he must resist the temptation to allude to the present political situation, there were two things which he was convinced had not changed:
 "One is our absolute loyalty to those nations who are associated with us."( he said, "and the other is our determination to continue the war and not be diverted from our pur- pose until we have secured the only peace which could justify all this terrible suffering and destrution which has been and is being brought by the iniquity of our common enemy. 70 one thing 1 am certaon. We must not relax the muscles of our fighting arm, or the war effort in any anticipation of an early peace. ,. z "To do so would be the surest way to render any discussions which may take place prolonged and less satis- facaory." Sir Eric reviewed British naval losses, declaring his country's losses in fighting ships of all classes have been approximately 230-"more than twice the total losses of war vessels of the whole of our allies" and that 450 auxiliary craft. such as mine sweepers and trawlers also have been destroyed.
 British merchant ships to the num- Der of 2.400 with a gross tonnage of nearly 7,750,000 have been sunk, he said, or "nearly ahree times the aggregate losses of our allies and 50 percent more than the total losses of all other allies and neutral coun- tries."
 Germany is not beaten, is not near ly beaten. and in some respects is stronger than ever she was. Che warn- ed. regarding the enemy's naval situa- tion.
 "Should the German naval policy be changed bv force of circumstances or by spirit of adventure which it has so far failed to show. it will be met. and if it means to fight that fight