Evening star., 1942-09-18


cargoes, includ- &z44& -
ing the very air David Lawrence.
craft and munitions needed to main
tain our air forces overseas.
Why has the submarine been neg
lected in public discussions2 Why
is there no Seversky or Kaiser de-
maiding better and faster subma-
rtne construction? Why is it that
the United States neglected the
building Of this vital weapon until
1910. although the power of the sub
marine to destroy tonnage was
proved beyond doubt in the First
World War?
There is every reason to believe
that American submarines are
giving an excellent account of them
selves In the Pacific. Although our
number Of undersea boats available
in the Pacific are doubtless not any
where near the number used by the
Nazis in the Atlantic, it is estimated
that we have destroyed at least a
fourth of what the Nazi submarines
have accomplished in the Atlantic.
Latest Navy Department figures
show that our submarines have sunk
about 100 Japanese ships The Nazis
are estimated by unofficial figures
to have sunk somewhere between
$50 and ATS Allied ships on this side
Of the Atlantic. No estimates as to
the amount of dollar loss involved
have ever been revealed, but it is
clear that from a military view
point the submarine has done dam
age that compares well in effective
ness with the military damage done
by dropping bombs abroad.
More Attention Suggested.
It is not being suggested that
emphasis be placed on the sub
marines to the disparagement of
any other weapon but that the i'm
portance of the submarine be recog-
nized in the ALLEGATION of critical
materials, in the speeding up of
construction and in the general ad-
vancement Of the program.
Authoritative figures show that on
October 10, 1941, Japan had II sub
marines and seven building or a
total of 7s. Germany had 100 in
service and 1Bo building or total Of
300. The United States had 113 in
service and 73 building or total
Of 186.
After Pearl Harbor we began ap-
propriating more money for sub
marines. OfIicial data reveal that
Congress authorized in December
tonnage equivalent to about % more
and in June, 1912, Congress stepped
this up by tonnage equivalent to
another 100 submarines.
This would mark grand total
OF 300 built and building, which is
Just about what the German pro-
gram was already nearly year ago.
Since then, Germany has used up a
good many undersea boats and Is
believed to have speedy construc-
ton program for replacement well
under way.
Germany, of course, doubtlessly is
building far more small short range
submarines and not so many large
boats of wide cruising radius.
America is building many of the
large type capable of travelling
across the Pacific. But the sub
marines must be operated from land
bases or mother ships for fuel.
The absence of bases in the far
Pacific has handicapped our sub
marines but as the United States
Navy gradually re-acquires bases in
the southwest and western Pacific,
the opportunity for effective sub
marine action will be steadily in
creased.
Adequate Personnel.
There is no shortage of crews and
officers. This is entirely a volunteer
service, but the Navy is able to keep
up with construction in the matter
of manning the new boats with
trained men and officers.
1t takes about II months to build
a large submarine. Can this time
be cut by the various speed-up for
mulas that have helped us to turn
out planes and cargo ships at rec
ord production?
Very little is known by the public
about submarine construction. There
has been good deal of secrecy
about it. but with the splendid work
being done by American submarine
crews in the Pacific, the opportunity
for stimulating the whole submarine
program would seem to be increased
by disclosing more and more about
our offensive operations with the
submarine.
Japan's many sea lanes are ira
versed by cargo ships and transports
which carry supplies and men tc
bases~in the Netherland East Indie:
and In and around the China Sea
This must inevitably furnish {
chance for American submarines tt
play an effective part In defeating
Japan-provided we can get enough
submarines built soon enough Il
help our fleet in the Pacific. An
other 100 submarines in service now
In addition to what we have in thu
Pacific, might turn the whole tid'
OF the war in that area.