THE SUBMARINE CAMPAIGN.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 May 1917, Page 5

THE SUBMARINE CAMPAIGN.

THE ITALIANS' SUCCESSES. A CLEAN WEEK. Received May 24, 10 p.m. Rome, May 24. The merchantmen entering Italian ports during the week ended May 20 numbered 4GO, and 387 left. No steamers were sunk. One was shelled and damaged. BRITISH LOSSES. j , Received May 24, 8 p.m. London, May 24. | The British report on the submarine campaign during the past week gives the following figures:— •This Last week week. Arrivals T7.v.;»-.is?ini.'.'.., 2654 2308 Departures 2759 2552 -Sunk over 1600 tons 18 16 Sunk under 1600 tons .. 9 S Unsuccessfully attacked .. 9 10 Fishing, vessels sunk ......, 3 3 i AMERICAN "SOLUTION." TIGHTENING THE BLOCKADE. London, May 6. The New York Evening World says that Mr. W. L. Saunders, chairman of the American Naval Consulting Board, the members of.which include Mr. T. A. Edison and other inventors, declares t that the board has solved the submarine problem, and has submitteS its plan to the Navy Department, based on actual experiments. Washington messages say that there is an extraordinary conflict of authorities and statements as to the American antisubmarine device. Mr. Thomas Robins, official spokesman of the Naval Consulting Board, asserts that the board does not know of any invention as described. One is still being sought. Mr. E, J. Spragne, chairman, of the Naval Board's committee on electricity and shipbuilding, is also sceptical. Newspapers publish a statement by Mr. Saunders, that he is confident a means has been found to destroy submarines, andlthat it is not a matter of speculation. The board lias tested several of the sub-committee's plans, which involve an extensive use of electricity. These had been evolved by the genius of a hundred inventors, and perfected by Mr. Edison. The scheme contemplated aggressive tactics, the most important step being the closing of the north end of the North Sea by several of the inventions.

In New York the general opinion is that the means of combating submarines referred to does not consist of a single device, but a system by which Great Britain and America will co-operate for a more complete blockade of the North Sea, even if it entails greatly diminished supplies to the neutrals. It is hoped that the scheme will be carried out with the consent of the neutrals.

According to the Washington co-res-pondent of the New York Times American mines will- he strewn in German territorial waters! because they are the most efficient available.