The Waikato Times With which is incorporated The Waikato Argus. WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 1917. THE SUBMARINE MENACE

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13473, 2 May 1917, Page 4

The Waikato Times With which is incorporated The Waikato Argus. WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 1917. THE SUBMARINE MENACE

The report that forty vessels of over IGOO tons each and fifteen vessels of less size had recently been sunk in one week has naturally caused consternation at home. The weekly average of vessels of the larger size sunk has been IG, and the increase is so considerable as to cause great surprise. We have frequently maintained that the submarine fleet is sent to sea, not singly as each boat may be ready, but that they are detained until a considerable number can be sent at one time; and thus in addition to the actual damage caused a great moral effect is produced upon the neutral countries, whose vessels have kept the sea- It is a confirmation of this theory to find that the German Secretary to the Admiralty has taken tlie occasion to make a speech to the Reichstag, and through that body to the nation, claiming that the number of submarines lost does not exceed a dozen; twitting the Allied countries with concealing the number of vessels lost, and prophesying confidently that Great Britain will be brought to her knees before July. The prophecy is much of the same character as the boy's whistling while he passed through the graveyard, in order to keep up his courage. It is evidently necessary for the German Government to sustain the spirits of their people, which are drooping sadly for want of the oft-promised surrender of the Allies. It Is difficult for people to remain hopeful and confident while they are underfed, and that lias been the German condition for some time. If they can be induced to stand out until July the harvest will be availn!dt>, and will afford relief for some ...I apparently the German High

ihiiiikun] are not able to indulge in the luxury (if plans for a future date. They are living from hand to mouth, and trusting that something may turn up. It is a fairly safe prophecy to say that the country will never face another winter's war. At the same time their military strength is not greatly impaired. They are still able to find reserves nf sufficient quality to put up a strenuvery different.from those ■ .- !• "iv were seeking every

":!;,' to surrender. The extreme development of military power is, in fact, going to prove the greatest dis-

aster conceivable to the country, for it will make it possible for them to continue fighting until the whole population has readied a depth of poverty

and distress which it will take a generation or more to alter. While the German Secretary to the Admiralty prophesies British ruin by July, Mr ! ■ urge specifies the same month as ihc date when the shipping trouble will ee..3c, because the new ships which the United States are constructing will then be available. This, however, is not the only matter in which there is a direct conflict of statement between the British and German authorities. A

Piiember of .Mr Balfour's party now on a visit to the United States is reported to have said that the submarine menace was well in hand, and that 20 boats had been destroyed in one day, while the supply boats and bases were being speedily sought out and demolished. We are somewhat afraid that this stateniCJlf owes a good deal to the Imagina-

tion of some press interviewer. No j member of Mr Balfour's party is likely to have expressed himself with any ;

sueli confidence on a point which

evidently very far from being settled

It is difficult to arrive, at any conclusion about the position of Great Britain with respect to stores of food. Those who arc dealing with the control urge the people loudly to practise economy, and declare that the country is in a most dangerous crisis of its fortunes. At the same time, we cannot forget that the present Government. who have only held office since December, have attempted to lake men from 'agricultural work, though they afterwards abandoned this idea. We are told tint there is no wheat stored in the country, yet in a magazine of such high standing as the Economic Journal it was stated that the Government had established such a reserve stock as early as 1915. Perhaps the most reassuring thing is that the people refuse to be frightened. It is true the system of fixing maximum prices lias tended to conceal the facts: but such prices only apply to a few of the great staples, and if scarcity were as near as we are told the demand for all classes of goods would have raised prices to an extent which would have checked this consumption. From what we are told it would appear that there has been little or no check, and hence the anxiety of those responsible for supplies being maintained. On the whole, we are inclined to think that the position cannot be really serious if Mr Lloyd George's statement that July is to see the advent of the American steamers is correct. The German capacity for endurance has been sorely tried, and is coming to an end. They are hoping that Russia may conclude peace, but that does not seem probable, though her capacity to take an active part seems no better than before. If, however, she can keep an army in the field the Germans must maintain troops to watch them. There is also the possibility of activity on the Italian front, and while the total effect of Ihis is lens than would be the case if the fighting were on a more strategically important position, yet the attack must he met with men and guns, and both are growing scarce. It is impossible to forecast the future, or the nature of the settlement; but, as we said before, it is difficult to believe that Germany will face another winter of