THE U-BOAT WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 28, 27 October 1917, Page 9

THE U-BOAT WAR

AND THE BRITISH NAVAL BLOCKADE

SPEECH BY ADMIRAL JELLICOE

PRESS CRITICISM

London, October 25. Admiral Jellicoe (First Sea Lord), speaking at Sheffield, said that evidence of the effectiveness of the blockade was the fact that, early in 1915, 258 out of 1-100 ships passed tho blockade lino irithout being boarded, while at the end of 1916 only 60 out of 3000 got through unintorcepted. The effects of tho blockade 'upon Germany had been serious. Referring to the submarines, ho said ho had a less satisfactory tale to toll. Tho figures of tho sinkings in September were Rood, but we must not build our hopes too high. The figures for October would not be bo good, though there was no cause for anxiety. Tho war was all but won. We had only to ect our teeth, and it will bo won.

Dr. T. J. Macnamara (Parliamentary - Secretary to the Admiralty), speaking in the flouse of Commons, in reply to a question, said he could not give an assurance that ships were being built more rapidly than they were being torpedoed. The First Lord would shortly make a comprehensive statement on the subject. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PRESS ATTACKS ON ADMIRAL JELLICOE. "DAILY MAIL" AGAIN. London, October 25. The "Daily Mail" is making persistent attacks upon Admiral .Tellicoe, and advocating his removal from the Admiralty, It alleges that he is responsible for the inconclusive result of tho Battle of Jutland, and recalls that Admiral Calder. in 1805, wag court-martialled for a similar lapse. The "Daily Mail" makes Admiral .Tellicoe responsible for the failure to aid Russia in the Baltic and tho loss of the convoy in tho North Sea.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

WNSINKABLE SHIPS PLANS TO FRUSTRATE THE-U-BOATS. Washington, October 25. The Emergency Fleet Corporation is preparing plans to equip- transport* and cargo vessels with a system of bulkheads, which will defy a single torpedo, while even if two or three torpedoes striko the bulkheads will keep the vessel afloat long enough to permit the soldiers and crew to disembark safely and carefully, while the destroyers with the convoys will render U-boat operations most precarious after the first torpedo is fired.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ALLIED SHIPPING LOSSES THE FRENCH REPORT. London, October 25. The French shipping returns for the week show :■ Arrivals. 980; sailings, 1032; sinkings, above 1600 tons, nil; below IGOO tons, 1; unsuccessfully attacked, 4.-~ Aus.-N.Z. Cable' Assn.-E«uter. TTho figures, for the previous week were: Arrivals, 885; sailings, 819; sinkings, over 1600 tons, 1; under 1600 tons, 1; unsuccessfully attacked, 5.] •ITALIAN LOSSES. London, October 25. The Italian official shipping return states: Arrivals, 427; departures, 4U. One steamer over 1500 tons and three under 1500 tons were sunk, a,nd one unsuccessfully attacked.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. [Last week's Teport showed: Arrivals, 315; sailings, 328. Four steamers under 1500 tons sunk, two .unsuccessfully attacked.! AMERICAN DESTROYER'S PLUCKY FIGHT (Rec. October 26, 6.30 p.m.) .: New York, October 25. The American destroyer Cassis, _ in European waters, although torpedoed in ona engine, continued to search for the attacking U-boat till nightfall—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.