Evening star., 1941-04-09

which is proceeding with growing
intensity on both sides. Our losses
In ships and tonnage are very heavy
and, vast as are the shipping re-
sources we control, these losses could
not continue indefinitely without
seriously affecting our war effort and
our means of subsistence.
1t Is no answer to say that we have
inflicted upon the Germans and
Italians a far higher proportion of
losses, compared with the size of
their merchant fleet, and that our
worldwide traffic is maintained. We
have in fact sunk, captured or seen
scuttled over 100000 tons of Ger
man and Italian shipping. We have
lost nearly 100000 tons ,of British
tonnage. Against tnat We have
brought under the British flag over
5000 600 tons of foreign or newly
constructed tonnage, not counting
considerable Allied tonnage under
our control Therefore, at the mo-
ment our enormous fleets sail the
seas without any serious or obvious
diminution so far as numbers of
ships is concerned. But what is to
happen in the future If losses con-
tinue at the present rate? Where
are we to find another three or four
million tons to fill the gaps which
are being created and to carry us
on through 1912?
Britain Counting
On U. S. for Ships.
We are building merchant ships
upon very considerable scale and
to the utmost of our ability.
We are also making a most tre-
mendous effort to repair the large
number Of vessels damaged by the
enemy and the still larger number
damaged by winter gales.
We are doing our utmost to ac-
celerate the turn around of our
ships, remembering that even 10
days saving on turnaround of our
immense fleet is equal to a rein
forcement of 5000, 900 tons of i'm
ports in a single year.
All the energy and contriyance
OF which we are capable have been
and will be devoted to these pur-
poses, and We are already conscious
of substantial results.
But when all is said and done
the only way in which we can get
through the year 1912 without
very sensible contraction of our war
efforts is by another gigantic build
ing of merchant ships in the United
States similar to that prodigy of
output accomplished by the Amer
leans in 1918.
All this has been in train in the
United States of America for manv
months past. There has now been
very large extension of the pro-
gram and We have assurance that
several millions of tons of American
newly-built shipping will be avail
able for the common struggle during
the course of the next year.
Here, then. is the assurance upon
which we may count for the staying
power without which it will not
be possible to save the world from
the criminals who assail its future.
Hopes Fire Will Realize
Its Responsibilities.
But the Battle of the Atlantic
must be won not only in the fac
tories and shipyards but upon the
blue water. I am confident that We
shall succeed in coping with the
air attacks which are made upon
the shipping in western and north
western approaches
I hope eventually the inhabitants
of the sister isle CEire) may realize
that it Is as much in their interests
as it is in ours that their ports
and airfields should be available
for naval and air forces which must
operate ever further into the At
lantic.
But while I am hopeful we shall
gain mastery over the air attacks
upon our shipping, the U-boats and
the surface raiders range ever far
ther to the westward, even nearer
to the shores of the United States.
and constitute menace which must
be overcome if the life of Britain
is not to be endangered and if the
purposes to which the Government
and peoples of the United States
have devoted themselves are not to
be frustrated We shall of course,
make every effort in our power.
The defeat of the U-boats and of
surface raiders has been proved to
be entirely a question of adequate
escorts for our convoys.
1t will indeed be disastrous if the
great masses of weapons, munitions
and instruments of war of all kinds
made with the toll and skill of
American hands at the cost of the
United States and loans to LIS under
the aid to Britain bill were to sink
into the depths of the ocean and
never reach the hard-pressed fight
ing line.
Believes Invasion Will
Come at Any Time.
That would be lementable to us
and l cannot believe it would be
found acceptable to the proud and
resolute people Of the United States
of America.
Indeed, I am authorized to say
that 10 United States revenue cut
tiers, fast vessels of about 1000 tons
displacement with a fine armament
and a wide range of endurance,
have already been placed at our
disposal by the American Govern
ment and will soon be in action.
These vessels, originally designed
to enforce prohibition, will now
serve an even higher purpose.
1t is, of course, very hazardous
to try to forecast in what direction
or directions Hitler will employ his
military machine in the present
year. He may at any time attempt
the invasion of this island. That
Is an ordeal from which we shall
not shrink.
At the present moment he is driv-
ing fast through the Balkans and at
any moment he may turn upon
Turkey.
But there are many signs which
point to an attempt to secure the