Evening journal., 1918-10-21
fresh TROUBLES
FOR HUN SUBS
U.S.Aviators Create so Mile
Forbidden Zone Around
France and Spain
SEE END OF
U-BOAT ATTACKS
Bv The United Press.

|
WASHINGTON, Oct. 2i.-American
naval aviation stations dottlng the
French coast from Spain 10 the channel
have created 50-mile forbidden zone
for submarines around France and
Spain.
"The northern bombing squadron, IS
operating along the Belgian coast con-
! tribuied largely 10 keeping Ostend and
IZeebrugge U-boat bases bottled up,
| These institutions, plus a vast amount
of new naval work, including the north
ern mine barrage locking the last gates
OF the U-boats were pointed out today
by Assistant Secretary OF the Navy
Roosevelt as samples OF the American
naval achievements abroad.
Roosevelt, who has contracted infu-
enza en- route back from Europe, was
at his desk for the first time in many
weeks. He was very enthusiastic over
what he had seen. His picture Of
United States efforts on sea and along
the shores from Scotland TO the Adri-
alto formed a hitherto unreavel ac-
count Of what has been undertaken
abroad.
Roosevelt said that everywhere he
went there was praise OF the United
that the American grand fleet assigned
10 one OF the important positions-is
one OF the most efficient sections OF
that magnificent organization"
He emphasized that the United States
tefforts are not confined merely 10 con-
lvoying across the ocean and in the for
lelsn danger zone, nor is II confined TO
chaser and destroyer patrol and battle
ship guard duty.
Instead, it mas amounted 20 the crea-
tion Of numerous stations, repair bases,
aviation stations, construction OF hos
pltals and building OF many new units,
including big oil pipe line across Scot
land.
The northern mine barrage was par
y ticularly pointed out Another thing
Roosevelt did not reveal, however, was
his own part in the creation OF this,
but IL is known that the idea originat-
ed with him more than year ago.
Many factories In this country, he
said, worked practically all winter get
ting materials out for this barrage
Scotland now harbOrs several Ameri-
can bases from which mine ships oper-
ate and which house a large personnel.
1T Is natural" he said, "that our
operations around Great Britain should
be better known here than elsewhere,
but on the continent we not only have
a big personnel ashore, but have more
stations than in the whole Of England.
On the west coast Of France there Is
a series OF bases from which our ships
operate in going out and bringing back
merchantmen. It has been necessary
20 build up almost complete repair
plants. and the shore facilities are now
more than twice what they were.
"The outstanding feature Is aviation.
All the way from Spain around the
Channel we have established about 2s
stations so spaced that all the coast is
adequately covered by sea planes and
, dirigibles."
The flyers and patrollers have driven
the submarines out 80 miles from
shore and this barred zone is expected
soon to be extended 10 100 miles. Blue
Jackets built most Of the stations. II
they didn't have enough material for
barracks they built houses from air
craft hacking houses. Two hundred 10
three hundred men are in each station
and these are located often on unin-
habited islands or in obscure fishing
vessels.
A bombing practice school has been
established and there Is big assembly
base with a personnel OF over 5000 men.
As for the northern bombing group news
Of which hitherto has been withheld,
Roosevelt pointed out that the day and
night bombers had prevented the Ger
mans from cleaning out the channels OF
Ostend and Zeebrugse after the naval
raids there.
The United States has a very large
naval unit at Gibraltar working with
the British and soon 10 be Joined by
BrRzilians. This unit operates up the
Atlantic and in the Mediterranean TO
Marseilles, Italy and Greece. In Italy
there Is a flying school and on the cast
ern side Of the Adrlatic we are helping
I'm mine barrage operations. In the
Azores the United States is helping the
Portuguese protect that base and is get
ting oil, coal and other supplies there.
Roosevelt revealed that 10 submarines
was the maximum this summer operat-
ing In the neck of the bottle around the
British Isles. But he advised that Ger
many has many more U-boats now
driven far Off shore.
I'VE can't let up for a single second"
ne SdlQ. we must CuNtI tNNu pidttS
where no submarines have ever been
seen and we must have many stations
at obscure points as a matter Of COM
plete securIay."
His personal opinion was that Ger
many did not intend to risk her fleet in
a big sea battle.
The spirit Of unity among the Allied
navies. he said, is inspiring. There is
an extraordinary absence Of jealousy
never. any question OF who shall do
task or who shall get credit for II.
The secretary placed American per-
sonnel al over 60,0O0 men and said the
number Of ships overseas is constantly
increasing.
Roosevelt visited Belleau Wood, the
scene OF the second division gallant
stand. or this division. and the marine
brigade therein, he spoke highly.
Roosevelt said that the navy IS man
ming and ofilcering every troop trans
port going TO Europe and the majority
OF the supply transports. only about 40
per cent. OF the troopships are Ameri-
can. most OF them being British.