Evening star., 1943-09-21


ings.
Cites Improving Record
OF Allied Sinkinss.
The monthly statements which
are issued on authority of the Presi-
dent and myself and about which
the Canadian government-who
contribute to the battle of the At
lantic brave men. airplanes and YES
sels-are also consulted, deserve
close attention.
I have little to add to them today
but it's a fact that for the four
months which ended September lS,
no merchant vessel was sunk by en-
emy action in the North Atlantic.
The month Of August was the low =
est month we have ever had since
the United States entered the war
and was less than half the average
Of British and Allied sinkings in
the Is months preceding the Amer
lean entry into the war.
In the first fortnight of September
no Allied ships were sunk by U-boat
action In any part of the world.
This is altogether unprecedented
in the whole history of the U-boat
struggle either in this war or the
last.
Naturally, I do not suggest for a
moment that this immunity or any
thing like it could possibly continue.
A new herd OF U-boats has been
coming out in the last week or so
into the Atlantic from bases in
France and Germany and they no
doubt have been fitted with what is
thought to be the best and latest
apparatus.
We for our, part have not been
idle and we await this renewal OF
the conflict, which, in fact, already
has begun-one convoy is being at
tackled at the present time-with
sober confidence. If they attack
conveys we shall be able to attack
U-boats.
In spite, however, of the reduced
number of U-boats which have been
at. work since the May massacre,
rarely a day passes without us get
ting one of these ill-starred vessels.
Moreover, United States and British
air attacks on German bases and
Building yards and on factories
where the component parts are
made have definitely reduced the
rate of production of U-boats in
Germany. The high percentage OF
killings has certainly affected the
morale of U-boat crews and many
Of the most experienced U-boat
captains have been drowned or are
prisoners in British and American
hands.
U. s.. Shipbuilding
Exceeds Hopes.
The output of new building from
the United States has fulfilled all
that ever hoped from 1t and more.
We build our regular quota in
these islands and the Canadian out
put-an entirely new development
for Canada-also is remarkable.
The credit balance of new building
over losses for all times including
marine risks since the beginning OF
the year, the net gain, that is to
say, exceeds 100000 tons, and
should the present favorable condi-
ton hold, we shall soon have re-
placed all the losses suffered by the
United Nations since the beginning
OF the war. esE
The massive achievement OF United
States shipbuilding has been shared
generously with us on this principle
Of division of war labor in accordance
with the highest economy Of effort
which We from the beginning Of our
association with the United States
in this war have made our guide
and which is now becoming increas-
ingly our rule. ~T
The favorable position now en-
joyed has enabled a larger number
OF faster ships to be built and pro-
jected. - -...>.' Z.
We have taken advantage OF the
lull in U-boat attacks to bring in
the largest possible conveys and we
have replenished our resources in
this island of essential commodities
especially oil fuels, which stand now
almost at a higher level than any
time since the outbreak OF the war
We have substantial margin be-
tween us and what is called the dan
ger level and which we have never
trenched upon even at the worst
times.
I repeat, as l always have done
and as l am bound to do, my warn
ing that no guarantee can be Given
for the continuance of these favor
able conditions, but I can now 20 SO
far as to say we could only be de-
feated by U-boats if we were guilty
OF gross neglect of duty in shipyards
and on the sea and Of inexcusab Bile
falling of : in that scientific and
technical ability on both sides OF
the Atlantic which hitherto has
stood us In good stead.
Main U. S. Strength
Deployed In Pacific.
I cannot pass from this subject
without paying tribute once more to
the oficers. and men Of the mer-
chant navy whose losses have been
even In greater proportion than
those OF the Royal Navy.
At the conference at Quebec much
attention was given to the prosecu-
ton Of the war against Japan, an
offensive already on foot on a con-
siderable scale In various parts of
the Pacific. The main strength of
the United States is deployed In that
ocean. The main weight of the Of
fensive operations there is in the
Solomons and New Guinea, where
Gen. MacArthur-an officer of out
standing personality to whom we
and our Australian brothers are
under an immeasurable debts
conducting a large-scale offensive.
These operations give great prom
ise for the future and will unfold
stage by stage as the months pass by
While We were at Quebec we also
received news Of the evacuation of
the japanese from the Aleutian
Islands, which are American terri
tory. The occupation of Kiska, in
which Canadian forces also took
part. was sequel to the annihila-