Losses at Sea—Monthly Reports
There is ample justification for the decision to publish the figures of merchant shipping lost once a month only, instead of once a week. In view of the fact that the figures cover losses which may have occurred in any part of the world it has often happened that the weekly report has had to be amended in the light of later news. Thus it was disconcerting to learn that the report for the week ended March 16th had to be amended from 71,773 tons lOst to 146,098. Such errors can be avoided if the news is published at less frequent intervals. But there is another, and a more important reason, why news should not be given for so short a period. A week's report may enable the enemy to deduce just what were the results of his attacks In this or that area, and whether the losses were due to sub- mantles. aircraft, or other methods of attack. So far as the Information of the public is concerned the monthly report is really more satisfactory. The record of a single week cannot Possibly give a representative picture of the situation. At the present time we shall do well to reckon with the fact that heavy losses are being inflicted on us at sea. We know that the battle of the Atlantic is,being fought relentlessly, and that the toll we — ) are pa lug involves greater elements of danger than those pre- sented by any other enemy action ; and that while we trust the 'iv) and Air Force to do all in their power to defeat the a,tti.ck there can be no margin of safety unless all at home play their part by sacrifices in consumption and energy in production.
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