from American contribution, will be
insufficient to bring to this country sufficient foodstuffs and
other essentials, including oil fuel. The situation in regard to
our Allies, France, and Italy, is much the same.

Consequently, it is absolutely necessary to add to our forces as a
first step, pending the adoption or completion of measures which
will, it is hoped, eventually lead to the destruction of enemy
submarines at a rate sufficient to ensure safety of our sea
communications.

The United States is the only allied country in a position to help.
The pressing need is for armed small craft of every kind available
in the area where commerce concentrates near the British and French
coasts. Destroyers, submarines, gunboats, yachts, trawlers, and
tugs would all give invaluable help, and if sent in sufficient
numbers would undoubtedly save a situation which is manifestly
critical. But they are required now and in as great numbers as
possible. There is no time for delay. The present method of
submarine attack is almost entirely by torpedo with the submarine
submerged. The gun defense of merchant ships keeps the submarine
below the surface but does no more; offensively against a submerged
submarine it is useless, and the large majority of the ships
torpedoed never see the attacking submarine until the torpedo has
hit the ship[62].

The present remedy is, therefore, to prevent the submarine from
using its periscope for fear of attack by bomb or ram from small
craft, and this method of defense for the shipping and offense
against the submarine requires small craft in very large numbers.

The introduction of the convoy system, provided there are
sufficient destroyers to form an adequate screen to the convoy,
will, it is hoped, minimize losses when it is working, and the
provision of new offensive measures is progressing; but for the
next few months there is only one safeguard, viz., the immediate
addition to patrols of every small vessel that can possibly be sent
to European waters.

Page, moreover, kept up his own appeal:

_To the President_

July 5th.

_Strictly confidential to the President and the Secretary_

The British Cabinet is engaging in a threatening controversy about
the attitude which they should take toward the subma