Admiralty, gave an important review of the naval situation in this war, when he addressed the House of Commons on Wednesday, and one which enables the world to put recent occurrences in their proper perspective. The convoy system he reported was now in full operation, and he produced figures to show that it was not only efficient but, as in the last war, the only real answer to submarine warfare. The latter as well as warfare by means of mines was being brought under effective control, and while it would be idle to think that some damage could not be done to Allied shipping there is all the evidence in the world to prove that it has been, reduced practically to a minimum, and that the original menace has been robbed of most of its terror. Of the British mercantile fleet about 1,000 vessels had been defensively armed, and he stated that within a comparatively short- while the whole of the 2,000 ships would all be similarly equipped. Referring to the losses of British shipping through enemy action Mr. Churchill pointed out the manner in which that had decreased each month since the commencement of the war. September, up-to-date, was the heaviest month; the convoy s had not been brought into action, and, besides, the German submarines were at their war stations days before the actual outbreak of hostilities. That fact and the element of surprise was responsible for September being the month in which the damage done was greatest. Casualties were reduced by one half in October, while for November, the losses were only two-thirds of what they were in October, showing that, even with the advent of the new German mine, no very, impressive results had been obtained, and that apart from the sinkings of the first few days this particular threat assumes no very great importance. The success of the Allied defence of their own shipping has led the enemy to pay increased attention to neutral vessels. Substantial damage, or at least more than has been the case of the Allies, has been inflicted upon them, chiefly because they do not receive the protection of the convoy, but also because the attacker runs no risk of retaliation. It all represents the sportsmanship of shooting the sitting pheasant.
If, as it is claimed, some forty U-boats have been sunk by the Allies that is sati factory, though this figure would still leave Germany with suffice original fleet, and whatever may have been added since the commencement of the war, to carry on the struggle with a not too seriously impaired force. The German claim that they can build a submarine a day may be true. If it is so, it need create no great feeling of uneasiness, for it is not the vessel which counts so much as the crew which serves her, and the training of submarine crews is by no means so easy a business as building the U-boats, while an inefficiently manned U-boat is a danger to herself and her complement. Of considerable interest is Mr. Churchill's statement regarding the chartering of vessels from neutral interests. So long as the German navy prosecutes its campaign of sinking neutral vessels on sight the possibility of being able to charter the menaced shipping to the Allies with the chance of securing compensation should the vessels be destroyed, is infinitely more attractive than to continue to operate the shipping under neutral aegis which makes it no safer, and which may lead to its destruction without any compensation whatever. The practice is entirely defensible in international law, and the fact that several millions of neutral tonnage have thus been chartered to the Allies shows that the neutrals concerned realize the favourable aspects of such an arrangement, which affords them the protection of the convoy and reparation in the event of loss. Despite the exaggerated claims made by the Reich of successes against the British Navy, Mr. Churchill has announced that losses in this connection only amount to 50,000 tons. One million' tons are in the process of buildings, and it may be taken for granted that much of that which was on the stocks at the commencement of the year and due for service early next, has already been put into operation, with the result that the British navy is stronger today than it was at the commencement of September.
The tale of proportions of the huge endeavour which Great Britain is making in the Allied cause is borne out not only by the figures which have been given by Mr. Churchill, but also by those which Sir Samvel Hoare gave to the House of Commons in the course of the debate on Wednesday. The rate of production of munitions and equipment in January next will be ten times the rate it was in January of this year. Aircraft production in a month's time will have doubled within the year, and Britain is not yg@fat the peak of her production of this weapon, but has plenty of spare potential in hand, while the reports of the past few months show every sign that there will be a constant supply of trained aviators to take up the machines as they become available. In this connection there must of necessity be very considerable reticence, but there is every reason for believing that in numbers, men and efficiency the German air arm is being rapidly outclassed. The conduct of this war, which has aroused quite a deal of criticism must be regarded, therefore, as tending wholly in favour of the Allies. It is possible, though probably only remotely so, that had Herr Hitler had his way about embarking upon a Blitzkrieg they would have been caught not so prepared as they are now, and even less so compared with what their equipment should be in the course of a few more months. As it is the marine campaign has not developed into the menace the Nazi Government thought it would; but on the contrary is definitely under control, while inaction in the air and on the western front is wholly in favour of the Allies. In the circumstances it is but natural that they should leave the initiative where it is at present, in the hands of Herr Hitler. The relentless factor of time is operating against him with increasing for while production in the Reich long since reached its peak, with the Allies it has still a fair way to go. The reckless treatment of neutrals is indicative of Herr Hitler's mounting desperation, and while wintry conditions may deter him from endeavouring to force a decision on the Western front until the spring, there is always the possibility that under increasing pressure he may yet incline to courses which only the wisdom of some of his advisers has up to the present kept him from.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.