THE U-BOAT MENACE.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 9 May 1917, Page 6

THE U-BOAT MENACE.

Food supplies are being sent to Britain from Canada, America, and elsewhere, despite the U boat menace. "Judging by the questions which intelligent and well-informed people ask," writes Mr. Gerard Fiennes, the naval expert of the "Observer," "it would seem that the methods of submarines are very imperfectly understood. Sir Edward Carson told the House that he was asked if they did not -have to come to the surface to fire their torpedoes. And it is a constant matter for suprise to other people that they can get out of the Bight of Heligoland in face of our mine-field and patrol. Some people even suggested that the mine-field is bluff. It seems almost too elementary to have to state, at this time of day, that a submarine can travel for long distances under water without even showing periscope, that no mine-field, laid across the mouth of the Bight of Heligoland, with neutral waters on each side, could possibly stop the U boats from getting out, and that, once on the track of shipping, they need show no more than a few fee" 0 f periscope in order to use their 1 rpedoes. If it was hard to track tl- Emden and the other German raid' ■» cruisers on the surface of the w ' er, how much harder is it to discover the whereabouts of vessels which can assume the Cap of Darkness at will? Until the panacea is discovered (if ever it is), there are only three things |or it: PatroJ craft and ever more pat-

rol craft, guns and gunners in the merchant ships, and careful regulation of traffic. Luckily, the U boat has the defects of her qualities. So long as she cannot be seen, she cannot see very far. Give the Navy time to perfect its measures. Place no obstacle in the shape of outworn animosities in the way of the use of all the brain-power and energy that it can summon to its service, and there need be no doubt whatever of ultimate success. But there must be no whimpering or impatience. The Navy has got more tasks than one in hand, and each is of vital importance, calling for all its energies and intelligence. The sailors at the Admiralty and afloat must be allowed to Judge the correct disposal of the means in their hands, and the nation must back them with loyal trust."