SUBMARINE WARFARE

Hokitika Guardian, 20 April 1918, Page 3

SUBMARINE WARFARE

VON CAPELLE’S STATEMENT, ON SUBMARINE EFFORT.

AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION & REUTER.]

AMSTERDAM, April 18. The Minister of the Navy, Admiral Von Capelle, in the Reichstag, after condemning the Allies for the robbery of Dutch ships, expresses satisfaction at tho result of submarinism. He stated that whether the position would im prove or determinate depended on then military achievement and the replacement of sunken ships. He denied that (there was any unwillingness on the part of the submarine crews to put to sea. He affirmed that the statements that the losses of submarines had been extraordinarily heavy, were greatly exaggerated ancl declared the new construction was surpassing the losses. | Whether Britain could continue her : naval wav with any prospects of suc- ; cess, he said, depended on whether her ! ship-building surpassed her losses. He I admitted that the anti-submarine measures had attained a certain success. < He alleged there was a scarcity of steel in England, which would increase. Ho concluded bv asserting that the United' States would never; partici pate largely in the war, owing to the shortage of shipping which governed America’s effort. REPLY TO VON CAPELLE. This Day at R. 50. a.m A LONDON, April 19 The Admiralty, replying to Admiral von Capelle’s statement that the enemy still relies upon the exaggerated figures of losses, says the average monthly loss of British ships last year, including marine risk, was 833,000 gross tons, whereas Admiral Capelle bases Ins argument on an average loss from submarines alone of ,600,000 tons monthly. The figures for last quarter ended 31st March, will he published shortly, and will vindicate the statements in regard to the continuance of the drop in rate of loss. f ' . Tho First Lord has already assured the Commons, as regards the adequacy of supply of steel, to give the desired output and presently all shipyards "d* be fully supplied therewith.