El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-06-03

the central powers on the western
battle front.
The navy department has heard ru-
mors for months Of the great Ger
man U-boats. so large that they
could operate efficiently even across
the Atlantic and without refueling
places on this side but no definite con-
fTmation has ever been received EE-
tensive provision against possible
submarine operations on this side
have characterized the navy's war ef-
forts from the start The no foot
submarine chasers were really built
for the protection Of shipping or the
American coast
search for Raiders.
Reports Of one German submarine
near the Virginia capes were current
in Hampton Roads Saturday night. IL
was said navy flying boats. subma-
craft In that district Immediately
went 10 sea in search OF the raiders
The master OF a British vessel ar-
irving at Norfolk on Nay q reported
having fired some shots at a su5ma-
rine about $50 miles Off Cape Henry.
Other Incoming ships at Atlantic
ports for the last few days also have
brought reports Of sighting subma-
rines.
II the German admiralty expects
20 find the American ports unurotect-
ed because q great force has been
concentrated in the war zone around
the British isles. it VIII be mistaken,
naval officials say. While the anti
submarine craft ia the war zone are
in large number. the protection OF the
steamer lanes on this side Of the At
lantic has not been overlooked and itI
is said there are adequate forces in
home waters TO meet them
IA"
yachts taken over by the navy are at
work overseas, the bulk Of these yes
sells Of the autisubmarine service
probably are stll iu American Wa-|
ters- and very great number are
available for use along the coast InI
addition many other types OF ships
are engaged In coast patrol Other
types OF larger warships also are in
home waters.
Where Is U-Boat Bases
There are indications that the navy
department has been watching close
y reports for the appearance OF the
enemy U-boats I'm expected places for
some time and that possibility OF the
arrival of the craft on American ports
was forcseeu- 1t was apparent. how
ever, that the Information now avail
able was not sufficient 70 show
whether a J-hoat base had been es-
tablshed on this side or that cruiser
submarines Of perhaps 1000 tons dis
placement were being used
Some officers believe that base
has been established. possibly Oh
some desolate island % the south OF
i'm a hidden bay others are CONF
WINGED that the submarines are work Z
Ing out Of German bases.
Base In Mexican Gulfs
Those officials and others who have ]
been maintaining that bases had
been established in the Mexican gulf
or I'm the West Indies. declared today s I
raid fully demonstrated their theory. 7
This theory was that the submarines /
which participated in yesterdays att
tack were on their way 70 the base
FIN the south, having for their imme- /
date object the long lines OF oil T
tankers carrying fuel oil 10 the allied 1
navies from the Tampico district OF
raid American shipping while on their
way.
save Torpedoes For Big Game.
These officers noted that the sub i
carefully preserved their tori
nedoes Tor larger and more important
quarry and destroyed the small Amer,
lean ships BY bombs or with she'll
fire Those who hold 20 this theory, /
laid they expected that after having 4
eac.4ed southern bases and replenish-I
ing their fuel, the submarines would I
-gain return northWard and after /
having made another raid return I
again for fuel How long this can (
be kept up they said depended en-
search which american anti-suhma-I
rine craft conduct.
The port Of Philadelphia was
Jueued this afternoon