SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.
[Notice in this column does not necessarily preclude subsequent rev( w.]
Secrets of the Submarine. By Marley F. Hay. (Skeffingtons. 2s. 6d. net.)—Despite its title, this little book is a trustworthy account of the new naval weapon by an American naval architect who has long specialized in submarine work. Mr. Hay answers very clearly most of the questions that civilians would like to ask him. He says that in 1911 Admiral von Tirpitz was doubtful of the value of submarines. He thinks that Germany has not more than two hundred submarines in commission, and that if she devoted the whole of her shipbuilding resources to the task, she could not com- plete more than a hundred submarines in six months. He gives reasons for doubting whether submarines of more than one thou- sands tons are desirable, partly because they would be unwieldy when submerged, partly because the engines would be excessively heavy. He points out some of the difficulties of our anti-submarine campaign, and predicts that the enemy will try to carry on his operations off the American coast, with the aid of submarine supply- ships.
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