Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 105, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 May 1917 — U-Boat Toll Continues To Show a Slump. [ARTICLE]

U-Boat Toll Continues To Show a Slump.

The weekly report from London foi the week passed shows another dacline in the loss of boats by the ruthless submarine warfare of the Germans. No armed.vessels are included in the list of victims this week and there is encouraged joy. For the t|nrd successive time the losses of British shipping from the submarine wpr Jhave been substantially below the large figures of six weeks ago, which caused so much alarm. The heaviest report was shown the week of April 26, which announced the sinking of 40 vessels of more than 1600 tons each. This week figures of vessels suns by—submarines show that the allied navies are keeping up the good work of the good work of the previous fortnight and the American unit although still a small one, shares the credit for excellent work. Not only are the sinkings being kept at a fairly low average, but the offensive U-boats also continue to show favorable results.

The British admiralty wears a pleased smile this week at the mention of the submarine warfare for the naval work in the past two weeks is regarded as reallv indicating an important victory over the Germans. The German naval people throughout the early months of the ruthless U-boat was freely predicted that England .would be on her knees by June 1 and gloomy pictures of grim famine certain by that date for the people of Great Britain and France. June 1 is almost here and German victory in the submarine war seems as far distant as ever. There has been a constant improvement, in the method's of the allies in opposing and suppressing the U-boat activity and these methods have become more and more successful with longer days and finer weather and increasing familiarity on the part of the skippers of merchantment with the methods of naval control. An admiralty officer speaking to the Pre said: “The American destroyers are playing no small part in the anti-submarine war, and our officers have expressed the greatest enthusiasm at the spirit, enterprise, acumen and quick-witted-ness with which the American unit has taken up the work. “The Americans are already conversant with our methods and we hope that they will soon begin teaching some new angles. Of course there is tittle to be said to the public regarding the methods.”