A U-BOAT LETTER.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 May 1917, Page 8

A U-BOAT LETTER.

• FEAR OF MERCHANT SHIPS' DEFENSIVE GUNS. According to a letter written.by tho Commander of a German submarine, ami found on the body of his brother, an infantry officer recently killed on tho Sommc, the crews of U-boats are-able to keep themselves well supplied with provisions. The letter, which is published in the Liberte, says:— "When I think, my dear Ludwig, of tho privations supported by our family, anil even by you, I am ashamed of the solid •xomfort we enjoy. We arc never hungry ; n u ; W e have always a reserve stock of provisions, and we replace these by fresh supplies when we meet a merchant ship. The only thing we pay for is petrol, which we get from -Spanish vessels v They don't insist on us paying for victuals. "For four months I have not been able to renew my stock of torpedoes. 1 am therefore obliged to attack traders with my guns, a very risky proceeding now that the British' and French boats ' defend themselves. A single shot well placed might easily send us to the bottom. Fortunately, the vessels attacked, ' so terrified are they by our appearance and so little do they suspect the real ; superiority their armament gives them, often surrender without firing a shot. "From thein we get all the news. If I am to believe what I read the best thing we can do is to get out of the war as soon as possible and pay the bill, how-, ever terrific it may bo. "My submarine is an old crock. 1 wish I could get command of one of ouv new submarine cruisers. As,it is known that my boat is not much' good, I am riot given anything very difficult to do. I am generally, after fishermen and sailing boats, and run very little risk."