El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-01-03

j DNDDNs Eng. Jan 3--Ihe naval
Il correspondent Of the London
Times wrote this article shortly be-
fore signing Of the armistice: Every
one must have noticed that since the
war began certain questions have
been constantly asked by the public
concerning the work OF the royal
navy, but without receiving definite
and satisfactory answers. Most per-
sistent OF such inquiries have been
those connected with the anti sub
marine warfare. Many people must
have been met times out OF number
with the poser. How may sub
marines have been sunkZT
IN me house OF commons on August
after Tour years Of war. the prime
minister. in the summary Of the sit
uaUon. Tor the first time since the
struggle began let the people into the
secret Of the number OF submarines
sent TO their doom. Three things are
noteworthy about Lloyd Georges
statement He only spoke OF the
number accounted for BY the British
naFy-ne qualiIied mis- announcement
By the words. at least-and he did
not indicate what proportion these
losses bore to the enemy's stock Of u
boats
That our allies have also done
share Of the work ard have
added TO the total number Of
boats put down, a. certain John
" Weeks, member Of the
American scnnte committee on
military affairs was reported TO
have aaid On June Il that the
Izited stntes navy had sunk IS
submarines since January /. 1918.
No authoritative Information has
! H-.Ir
submarines which the enemy has
built OF possesses. It is known that
Germany had less than 30 boats COM
pieted when the war began and Aus
tria-Hungary perhaps half a dozen.
Grand admiral Won Tirpitz was re-
ported 10 have said in January. 1915.
that ne rad zoo submarines ready TO
carry out his plans OF hlockading
England, but he undoubtedly rnfsrep-
resented the situation Although there
were many boats under construction.
the campaign was opened with con-
siderably less than half the number
the grand admiral claimed TO ave
ready.
Germany Had About 800.
In August, 1917, Mr. Won Wiegand,
an American newspaper correspond
ent, stated that IL was believed in
Berlin that Germany had 235 sub
marines In commission. and that
boats at about the rate Of three q
week in u months from that date.
therefore, her stock should have
amounted TO 391 boats. But Mr..
Lloyd George has said that OF the
number which the British navy ac-
counted FOR. half or IS. were sunk in
the last year. which would reduce the
stock 10 about 300 boats. This. be Il
noted is an estimate based on Ger
man figures and is much higher
number than we. in this country. be-
heTe them to have had in commission
at any time.
The prime minister vas uure
that 150 enemy Submarines had
been destroyed by British shfus.
but manifestiy thought. and Ger
tninly hoped, the number might
be higher.
What is the reason for the inabil-
ity OF the authorities 10 supply anv
but an approximate answer to an in
quiry as TO the actual number OF u
DOaLs sunk The reason was ad-
mirably stated by Mr.. Balfour three
years ago As first lord OF the ad-
miralty, he told the house Of COM
mons on September 80. 1918. that an
inevitable margin Of doubt attached
TO any attempt to estimate the num-
Der Of enemy submarines DESTROYED.
"A submarine. he said lis not like an
ordinary vessel II the latter sinks
Mr. Belfour proceeded. this is not
necessarily true and there is every
Eradati0n from absolute certainty
through practical assurance down TO
faint possibility" Were the admir-
atty TO take only cases Of certainty.
they would he undertaking the
truth but II they included all cases