BEATING THE SUBMARINE.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15930, 18 June 1917, Page 5

BEATING THE SUBMARINE.

I LLOYD GEORGE'S CONFIDENCE. j j GERMAN HOPES MODIFIED. LONDON. May 2SUndoubtedly Mr Lloyd George's observations on submarines in his statement to Parliament on Thursday, have produced misgivings in Germany, where not only the general public but the Reichstag, haa been led to believe that the starvation of Britain is imminent. Hence it is not surprising that Berlin has issued a long statement designed to reassure the people. It says that tho speeches by Admiral von Capello and Dr. Helfferich, dwelling on the deadliness of the submarines, have not yet discovered all their possibilities. Meanwhilo tho German newspapers continue to express anxiety at the growing isolation of the Central Powers. Writing in tho "Vossischo Zoitung," Emil Zimmerman says:—"Fear cannot be dismissed that even with a favourable peace the problom of the reconstruction of Germany in the world cco-' nomy mav prove insoluble." Reu tor's "correspondent at Amsterdam states that tho German Press, commenting on Mr Lloyd George's specch. abandons tlic idea of the complete destruction of Britain's mercantile marine, and speaks vaguely of tho effects the submarine campaign will havo on Britain's economic future.

An article by Captain Persius in tho "Tagcblatt," indicates tho opinion in really responsible quarters of Germany as to the effects of submarine warfare. After utterihg a 'warning against expecting decisive results immediately, Captain Persius says it would be erroneous to suppose that tlio British would wake up ono morning and find that they had nothing to eat. Only child-like innoeenco could believe that England had hitherto abstained from rationing for lack of courago or owing to the absence of the gift of organisation.