In connexion with this record of losses we must mention
the statement by Lord Beresford in the House of Lords on Tuesday that in February the losses were 281 vessels and over 505,000 tons, and for March, up to date, 225 vessels and over 420,000 tons. These figures include neutral shipping, whereas the weekly Admiralty return gives only the losses among British shipping. The Admiralty return does not state the tonnage of vessels sunk, except to say that vessels are over or under 1,600 tons. Nevertheless, neutral merchantmen are, for our purpose, of almost equal value with British vessels. We cannot help feeling that it is very undesirable that statements, apparently based on good information, should be published apart from the Admiralty return. We are all for pub licity, for by this means alone can people be made to understand the gravity
of the situation. The British people have never been dis- couraged, but always braced, by the truth. But the Government ought to see to it that the weekly return is itself the fullest state- ment that is allowed to be published. This is the only way to prevail upon the nation to believe that the Government are treating them with confidence, and therefore the only way to get a mighty response to the demand for the utmost economy.
