ITS LESSONS AND ITS WARNINGS 7 



to. These were swift, light vessels varying from 

 23 to 28 knots, with a tonnage of from 3400 tons 

 to about 5000 tons. (The Karlsruhe, for example, 

 had a tonnage of 4820 tons and a speed of 28 

 knots.) 



If, before the declaration of war, the Germans 

 had let loose these cruisers to range the high seas 

 and hover about the trade routes, and had made 

 provision for keeping them there, 1 they would 

 have dealt this country a fatal blow by inter- 

 rupting, if not absolutely stopping, our food 

 supplies. Seeing that we rely for four-fifths of 

 our bread-stuffs on oversea sources, a very short 

 interruption would have been sufficient for the 

 purpose, especially as our supplies are of a hand- 

 to-mouth character. We have never, for instance, 

 more than a six or seven weeks' stock of corn on 

 hand. It would be impossible under these cir- 



1 It is remarkable how effectively the Germans managed 

 for months to supply the seven raiders with the necessary 

 supplies of coal, food, etc. Their supply ships seemed to 

 be almost always at the appointed place at the right time, 

 and their means of receiving and conveying information 

 were equally remarkable. Their submarines are also effec- 

 tively supplied with oil to enable them to keep the sea 

 by what means has not yet been discovered probably 

 through the treachery of spies and other persons in our 

 midst. 



