New-York tribune., 1918-06-08
Want to Hamper
Supply Shipments
2,OOO-Ton Cruiser Subma-
rine Operating Here; Ger
many's Alarm Growing
By Arthur S. Draper
(spec,al Coble to The Trtbune)

campaign off the Atlantic seaboard
American dispatches occupy the first
place in the newspapers and the sink
ings are the main topic of discussion
in all quarters.
AS Britain's chief interest lies on the
seas and as she has had long and
costly experience with enemy sub
marines, the new campaign has especial
interest here.
That Germany planned to extend hel
operations has been known for long
time Announcement was made by the
British Admiralty of the destruction
on May II of The first Germen super
submarine or cruiser off the west coast
of Portugal. According to German
wireless reports, the submarine cruiser
between April and May / sank several
steamers near the Azores. There Is
nothing to show whether the U-boa'
Jagged is the eame one that was op'
Grating earlier off the Azores.
Another U-Boat Escaped
The Admiralty announced that at the
time this cruiser submarine was oe'
stroyed, another U-boat was sighted
but she escaped by submers:ng. inns
would indicate tina, the sHper-sup
marines are working in pairs, and II
is possjhle that the same tactics are
being followed in American waters:
If, as reported, cruiser U-boats nave
been operating off the Atlantic coast
in the last ten days, it is considered
likely that they left Germany the hrs'
week in May, following The southern
route across the ocean.
According to an authority, the pres
ent outbreak of U-boat activity is the
beginning of a continuous effort. lie
does not believe that more than one
boat is now operating off the American
coast, but thinks that America will now
be forced to fight the submarine IN
home waters, Just as this has become
necessary around the British isles.
The Germans are now out to get
American transports and to interfere
with the shipments of supplies. Ger
many. during the intensive campaign
in British waters, sometimes had thirty
Submarines lying in wait for Engilsn
vessels. =,
According to this authority, the sub
marines working in American waters
are of not more than 1000 tons. A
U-boat cruiser recently sunk by the
British was q 1000 tonner, and 1t is
not believed that the Germans have
bigger vessels working at present.
Similar to the Deutschland
Altogether the Germans have six OF
seven of this type, similar to the
Deutschland They carry crew O.
between seventy and eighty, ant
mount a couple Of SO inch guns, which
are capable of shooting about l2,oo'
yards. The number of torpedoes car
ried is doubtful. They probably jour
nev from 10000 to 10000 miles easily
1t is improbable that the campaign
in American waters will be conducted
in conjunction with q supply vessel O
the raider type or that they work iron
secret supply bases on the Mexican
coast or elsewhere on the American
continent.
The story that the submarine car
ried an extra captain for prizes l
considered very probable here, as tn
Germans have done this before. Tn
possibility is also admitted OF carrying
the parts of seapane to America, blu
assemblage and use for bombing pur
poses are likely to present some DIT
ficulties.
Finally authorities state that tn
sinkings by submarines in May are ex
nected to run heavier, owing to tn
great attention being paid to convo
work while large numbers of Amer
lean troops are being transported
This necessarily involves less protee
tion for individual vessels, which ar
more liable to fall prey to the enem.
For the same reason there has bee
less time in which to hunt the sub
marines, and the sinking of these wi
also probably show a falling off fo
the month Of May.
Germans Alarmed About America
Despite their protestations to tn
contrary, the German militarists r.
gard America with growing concer
and they know that the only hope {
victorious peace lies in decisio
this year. Won Capelle's sailors hay
found European waters increasing
troublesome, and it is only natur
that they seek victims in anoth'
quarter where there are poorer d.
fences.
The submarines would have no di
ficulty making the trip, the chief Co
Germ being the replonishment of fu
and ammunition. The super
rines can remain away from the
base for six weeks without gettir
fresh supplies If it is Won Capelle
plan TO conduct an extended campail
in American waters he must provit
bases or send convoy of ships.
the submarines have mother ship
such as the speedy raider Wolf. whi
had seaplanc scouts, then the su
marines can operate for months or u
I'll they or the convoy axe destroyed
AS always, tonnage is q potent fact
in the war, and it has grown ev
greater in the last half month. Thou
the Germans have won no strategic v
tory, tney have certainly tremendous
increased the Allies difficulties.
Several hundred thousands Fren
people who we're largely self-sustai
ing are now homeless and wards of I
state. Great quantities of guns a
war material must be replaced. Mea
while the number of Americans
France who must be supplied gro
by leaps and bounds.
Heavier Task for Shipping
All these mean q heavier task I
Allied shipping. BY operating near t
American ports the Germans hope
rnuch by threat 10 retard the. flow
men and material to Europe as by a.
ual Sinkings.
Cermany's whole campaign of 10
has been one OF surprises The gu
den appearance of the cnemys subm
rine craft oil the coast of New Jers
comedies with the surprise attac
launched in the Aixro valley. If II
war mas taught the Allies anything,