There is food enough here to last the civil population only not more than six weeks or two months.
Whatever help the United States may render at any time in the future, or in any theatre of the war, our help is now more seriously needed in this submarine area for the sake of all the Allies than it can ever be needed again, or anywhere else.
After talking over this critical situation with the Prime Minister and other members of the Government, I can not refrain from most strongly recommending the immediate sending over of every destroyer and all other craft that can be of anti-submarine use.

This seems to me the sharpest crisis of the war, and the most dangerous situation for the Allies that has arisen or could arise.
If enough submarines can be destroyed in the next two or three months, the war will be won, and if we can contribute effective help immediately, it will be won directly by our aid.

I cannot exaggerate the pressing and increasing danger of this situation.
Thirty or more destroyers and other similar craft sent by us immediately would very likely be decisive.
There is no time to be lost.
(Signed) PAGE.
This cablegram had a certain effect.

The reply came from Washington that "eventually" thirty-six destroyers would be sent.
* * * * * Page's letters of this period are full of the same subject.
_To the President_ London, May 4, 1917.
Dear Mr.President: The submarines have become a very grave danger.

The loss of British and allied tonnage increases with the longer and brighter days--as I telegraphed you, 237,000 tons last week; and the worst of it is, the British are not destroying them.