The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-07-22
Desperation Shown in VAST
ing Shells on Vessels of No
Military Value.
TO PREY ON TRANSPORTS
Washington Had Expected Re-
newal Of Campaign and Is
Fully Prepared for 1t.
Special DespdfcA to THs suH

France, Germany has ordered her
U-boats to concentrate their efforts on
the American transport lane. This is
the theory entertained by naval officers
here as a result of the reports to-day
showing that German submarine had
shelled a tug and three barges of Cape
Cod. after giving an exhibition OF Ger
man frightfulness.
The appearance of the submarine off
the Massachusetts, coast explains the
mines found Off the Long Island shore.
Officials here are still of the opinion that
It was a mine laid by the U-boat and
not a torpedo that sunk the cruiser San
Diego
They reason this from the fact that
either the periscope of the submarine
or The wake of the torpedo would have
been seen by lookouts on the ship or by
the seaplane operator whose prompt
work led to the rescue Of most Of the
crew.
Interest to-risht largely centres in
the question whether the C-boat which
shelled and sunk the barges of Cape
God Is alone or is one of several sent
out by the German Admiralty to inter-
fere with American troopships.
To-day's reports to the Navy Depart
ment regarding the submarine came en-
tirely from Coast Guard Station No. 40
at Orleans. on Cape Cod, and were pro-
vokingiy meagre.
First Report of the Attack.
The hrst report Of the actual presence
OF a submarine reached the Navy De-
pattment Just before noon to-day. Soon
thereafter the following statement was
issued:
The Navy Department at noon re-
ceived a despatch from the First Naval
district stating that Coast Guard Sta
ton No. 40. at Orleans. Mass, on the
coast between Cape Cod and Chatham.
Mass. reports Fighting a tug on fire and
three barges being shelled by a subma-
rine."
Following the receipt Of later mes
sage from the Coast Guard station. this
statement was issued
"The Navy Depa rtment this afternoon
received despatch that the tug and
barges shelled by a submarine Off the
Massachusetts, coast this morning were
sunk All the crew of the tug was res
cued. the report stated. one man being
injured by shell fire. The men were
taken to the Coast Guard Station No.
40 at Orleans"
Immediately upon receipt OF to-day's
report another warning was sent out to
shipping and all patrol craft In the First
and Second Naval districts were ordered
had been Issued when the San Diego
was sunk. so that all ships having wire
less have had ample time. 1t Is believed,
to take precautionary measures. This.
of course, does not cover the sailing ves-
sells. some of which may again fall vic
Tins to the newcomer.
The position Of the U-boat Is regarded
here as having great significance. On
the first visit the C-boat or U-boats
confined operations to the shipping lanes
south of New York. the first sinking be-
ing OF Barnegat and the later ones some
distance out from the Virginia Capes,
on this visit no attempt apparently was
made to interfere with the main trans
port lane.
Change in U-Boat Tactics.
Indications that the U-boats have
changed their tactics is seen in the To-
cation of the San Diego sinking and the
position Of the submarine observed to-
day. both being apparently in the route
OF the transports.
Until late this evening no reports had
reached here to show that more than
this one U-boat had been seen, but the
Navy Department would not be sur
prised to receive such reports at any
minute.
While the testimony of those who
were victims of the last submarine raid
here at first seemed to indicate that
there were two submarines on the pre-
vious visit. Admiral Benson after care
full examination of reports bearing on
the subject reached the conclusion that
all OF the vessels lost in May and June
were sunk by one U-boat, the U-l5I
While some officers were inclined to diff
fer with him. Admiral Benson has per-
sisted in this theory.
But with Germany's growing despera-
ton the possibility of a larger raid be-
ing attempted has never beeen over
looked here. II was recalled to-day that
the captain and crew OF the U-15l said
that they would be back In July. All
the comment in the German press has
also foreshadowed not only a return
visit but has indicated that operations
would probably be attempted on a
larger scale. The German papers hailed
the first visit as being merely the begin
ming OF a work of destruction that would
Chill the marrow of Wilson's bones"
German Admiralty Spurred.
That disappointment was caused in
Germany by the fact that the first visit
did not result in the loss of single
transport there is no doubt This has
been reflected in several caustic COM
ments which have appeared following
Secretary's Bakers announcement that
more than 1000, 900 men had been landed
in France on the inability OF the u
boats to interfere with troop shipments
All this Is believed here to have I'M
doubtedly spurred the German Admi-
rally to renew its attempts and 10 aim
this time at destroying transports both
by mines and torpedoes.
Because of the temperance of sub
marines extra precautions will be taken
naturally in the case Of transports, but
it is said emphatically tonight that
there will be no interruption In the
shipment of troops. The transports are