WAR ON SUBMARINES.
PREPARATIONS IN [AMERICA. Tho announcement that American ships were to he armed caused a flurry of excitement throughout the country, but a further statement, which moanj practically that an American ship sighting a submarine heading toward it may .sink it, has made, a deeper impression. Jt is stated that Germany's declared intention to sink at sight all vessels within, the "war zone" has led tho American authorities to the decision to treat the U-boats in similar fashion (reported the Washington correspondent of the London Daily News on March 10). / America, therefore, is preparing for submarine warfare. The arming of merchantmen is to go on in secret, and plans are being made for the rapid construction of 100 wooden ships to engage in trans-ocean commerce. The question of attack and defence when submarines are concerned was the first one raised after the definite information had Ibeen given out that the President had been assured by AttorneyGeneral Gregory that he had the power, to ijrder the arming of ships. Tho State Department's decision is satisfying to not only the shipowners, but to the country, for it indicates that a subm®.rino making for an American ship will bo committing a hostile act, and give the ship reason to expect a warning.
The plans of the Federal Shipping Board are for at least 1000 new vessels. Already there lias been a conference with tlie builders on tho Atlantic coast and the shipyard owners in the Gulf of Mexico. The ships sought are popularly termed "sea jitneys," the word jitney being applied to all cheap and easy means of transportation, as tho cheap automobile or bus. Tho Federal Board hopes to have the thousand' ships built very quickly. They are to be made of wood, but driven 'by motors, and- the tonnage is to range foetween 3000 and 4000. With such a new fleet it is felt that America will have little to fear from the submarine menace.
There is also a movement on both coasts to speed up the construction of iron steamers and to standardise tlicM and to bring about such efficiency methods as have made the Ford automobile plant capable of its tremendous output. This is but one of many plans of preparation, both industrial and military, and much work has already been done. From now on it will not he right to, print details of this preparation, as it waul*} bo equivalent to giving information to any possible enemy of the United States.
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Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 1917, Page 2
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415WAR ON SUBMARINES. Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 1917, Page 2
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