20 APRIL 1918, Page 2

It is somewhat disappointing to learn that last week eleven

large merchantmen and three small vessels were sunk by mine or sub- marine. Ten were attacked without success. In the two previous weeks we had lost only nine large ships. However, it is unwise to estimate the progress of the anti-submarine campaign by isolated weekly returns. The Navy is steadily improving its methods and making the task of the pirates increasingly difficult.