We were certainly not in the state of panic which has been ascribed to us in certain quarters, but we did want those who were engaged in the war on the side of the Allies to understand the situation in order that they might realize the value that early naval assistance would bring to the Allied cause.

There is no doubt that great difficulty must be experienced by those far removed from the theatre of war in understanding the conditions in the war zone.
This was exemplified at a time when we had organized the trade in convoys and the system was showing itself effective in greatly reducing losses from submarine attack.

We were pressing the United States to strengthen our escorting forces as far as possible in order to extend the convoy system, when a telegram arrived from Washington to the effect that it was considered that ships which were armed were safer when sailing singly than when in convoy.

It has also been stated that the Admiralty held the view at this time that no solution of the problem created by the enemy's submarine campaign was in sight.

This is incorrect.