ECHO OF A WAR CRISIS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 307, 23 September 1919, Page 5

ECHO OF A WAR CRISIS

THE U-BOAT AVAR IN 1317.

/ New York, September.2l. The New York "American" prints an .article signed by Admiral Sims stating: "During the latter part of March, 1917, when it was evident that the United Stites was nbout to enter tho war, 1 was sent to Britain, and travelled incognito. I had an interview with Lord Jellicoe, who showed me the record of tonnage losses during the last few • months— amounting to 436,000 tons in February, 6-33,000 tons in March, and at the rate of Mp.OOO tons in April. Lord Jellicoa said to me: 'It will be impossible ta carry on the war if losses like these continue. Germany will win unless we soon stop these losses.' I learned that only fifty-four submarines had been suuk from the beginning of the war until" April, 1917. Later, I discussed the situation with members of the Cabinet—Air. Balfour, Lord Robert Cecil, and Sir Edward Carson. They repented practically every, thing Lord Jellicoo eaid. I spent the night at Windsor Castlo and discussed the matter, with the King, who was well informed respecting both the British and American navies. King George wiis just as outspoken about the submarine campaign as , was Lord Jellicoe. Mr. Llo'yd George waa the only uno of all the influential men in the Government who <»ok an optimistic attitude. Ho always saw a favourable end to the war."-«-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asa. VON TERPITZ STATES HIS VIEWS. London, September 21. Vurther .extracts from von'-Tirpitz's book declare that the fear of America caused Germany's feeble statesmen, headed by the Kaiser, to vacillate in adopting unrestricted submarine warfare, which alone could have saved Germany. Hu pays a tribute to the British defence, which exceeded all German expectations. Von Tirpitz says: "Our submarines in 1016 were like a pack of wolves among eheep; but in 1017 they'had to fight regular battles with merchantmen." lie adds: "That such a number of American troops could be transhipped took us all, including the Army Administration, by surprise." He asserts that the commander of tht submarine which torpedoed the Lusitjinia was not aware of the vessel's identity, as he.attacked the liner from forward. Von Tirpitu concludes by condemning the inexplicable abandonment of the submarine campaign in October, 1018, just when tho construction of submarines had been considerably increased, as Uio army and navy could havo held on till the spring of 1919, and obtained real grounds ■ for negotiations for pence.—lteuter.