New Britain herald., 1918-10-08
SUBMARINE FORCED
into NEW CHANNELS
German Bases in Flanders Useless,
Says Sir Eric GeddeS

Washington, Oct. S.-With the ar
rival here of Sir Eric Geddes, First
Lord of the British Admiralty, and the
British Naval Mission accompanying
him, new facts bearing on the sub
marine campaign were disclosed.
1t became known that the produc-
ton OF submarines in Germany in re-
cent months has increased greatly and
is now larger than at any time since
the war began. But the defensive
measures are succeeding so well that
this increased production has been
more than offset. Previous declara-
ton shy Sir Eric still hold good, that
the submarine is held but not mas
tered
Sir Eric is here on short visit to
return that of Franklin Roosevelt, as
sistant secretary of the navy, and to
discuss naval matters with Secretary
Daniels and his staff. Admiral Duff,
another member of the British admir-
atty, accompanies him.
The flag Of the admiralty was flown
on the ship which brought them here,
it's first appearance outside of British
waters The flying of the flag sig
nifies that a board of the admiralty is
negotiate without referring decisions
to the home office for approval or in
dorsement
Straits of Dover Closed.
A new light was thrown by the
British visitors on the reported Ger
man plan to abandon the submarine
bases in Flanders. 1t appears that
with the Straits of Dover now closed
to the submarines through the meas
ures put into effect in the last few
months the usefulness of these bases
has 1isappeared All submarines
must now seek the Atlantic by the
northern route, for which Wilhelms-
haven Is a better base.
While not seeking to disparage the
effect of the campaign on these bases,
the naval experts made is plain that
the Flanders flotilla of submarines, to
which a large proportion of the losses
used to be due, no longer has reason
to exist.
Drops Seven Tons of Bombs Daily.
The British navy has been dropping
seven tons of bombs every day upon
these bases for some time, which was
another reason why the Germans de-
clded to give them up. The blockad-
ing ships are still in the channel, but
the Germans cut a hole through the
wall and managed to get some OF their
submarines out.
BY compelling submarines to take
the longer route to reach the Atlantic
Sir Eric said their efficiency had been
reduced at least one-third. Another
cause for the reduction in sinkings
outside of the successful defensive |
t1n
which the U-boats are now manned. |
The British coast patrol is now so |
effective that the submarines have
moved out into the Atlantic. This
has likewise reduced the number of
sinkings, but the average size of ships
sunk has increased somewhat. Also
it was disclosed at the interview that
sinkings at night are now as numer-
Gus as those in the daytime, a new
feature of the submarine campaign.
Conveys Reduce Defensive Vessels.
1t was pointed out by Sir Eric that
the convoy system which has so sue
cessfully achieved it's purpose neces- |
sarfly has reduced the number of |
vessels to be used for offensive pur- |
poses against the submarines. Ger |
many has realized. he said, that if |
a factor at all it would only be |
through q material increase in the |
number of new submarines turned |
out. In the last few months she has !
concentrated her efforts on this plan. |
In a statement last night Sir Eric !
said:
MY visit to the United States, in |
company with Vice Admiral Duff the |
Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff at |
the Admiralty, is in response to a
most cordial invitation extended to us
by the Secretary of the United States
Navy. Mr.. Daniels intimated to me
recently that a visit of representatives
af the British Board of Admiralty to
discuss certain matters concerning
the naval situation would be very
welcome to the Navy department and
himself
Personally, I have the added
pleasure of renewing my acquaintance
with the United States where as a
young man L passed some strenuous
years learning lumber and railway