The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1915. THE SUBMARINE RAIDS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 201, 3 February 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1915. THE SUBMARINE RAIDS.

Foiled in her attempt to break through the ranks of the lAllieg on land, with her fleet practically blocked in harbor, and her mercantile marine completely swept off the seas, Germany seems, like a rat at bay, to be striving to use her teeth in a mad rage even jigainst harmless women and children, as well as defenceless Tessels. It is evident that she hopes to strike terror into the hearts of her foes by aerial and submarine means. It is not surprising that the Power which treated a solemn treaty cbligatibn as "a scrap of paper" does not hositate to break all the rules of international warfare. The result is that the world is now receiving an exhibition of tactics which it regards with profound horror. At the same time, the situation is one that must be faced, but before it can be thoroughly coped with much damage may ensue. The sinking of the Tokomaru has brought this piratical warfare home to New Zealanders, but they need feel no alarm, though it is only natural that they should strongly resent the loss of their produce, however fully it may have been insured. Germany has been deeply humiliated, and is trying to take her revenge by Zeppelin and sulmarino raids of an extensive character. The former can be, in the general way, dealt with effectively, as appears in this morning's cables, but the latter, on account of their ability to efface themselves from view, are a source of danger that is difficult to overcome, yet by no means impossible. Unless assisted by a mother the range of submarimes is limited to an area from their base varying from 2000 to 4500 miles. From

Heligoland to the Irish Sea is upwards of 1100 miles, but irom Zeebrugge it is some 300 miles less. Germany is credited witu thirty submarines, and others in course of construction, but 'Britain and France each possesses submarine flotillas more than twice as numerous as that of Germany. It must be remembered, however, that submarines are of little use in attacking submarines, so that to cope with raids by these demons of the deep it would be necessary to employ a large force of destroyers, and the question is whether, considering the extensive field of operations, tile Allies possess sufficient of these craft for the purpose. The only other means of meeting this form of attack consists of mine-fields and vigilant patrol, the latter being absolutely imperative, if only for me reason that on an extended cruise submarines must spend considerable time on the surface. It is also some satisfaction to know that the services of hydroplanes in detecting submarines are of the greatest use. It may be fairly assumed that the Home authorities are keenly alive to the urgency of dealing with Germany's latest tactics, and that it will not be I long before the raiders are put out of I action. Unlike the Zeppelins, which are I bent on destroying life as well as pro- j pcrty, the submarines can discriminate j by giving the crews of vessels the opportunity to escape destruction 1 . That i {.:■:•; w;u done in fie c.-'.sc of tl:e l;Kc-

maru redounds to the credit of the" German officer in There is no doubt that the German authorities are carrying out an extensive submarine campaign of commerce-raiding, and, Plough some anxiety may De felt, the British and French naval authorities may be relied on to do their, best to 'iring the raids to an end as speedily as jircumstancos will permit.