The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-09-18
TEE LOST PROVINCES.
How VanSitart Came Back to France.
by LOUIS TRACY.
corrrtnht. 1875. BY Louts Tracy.

with the editions Of the morning papers
came dramatic news from an unexpected
ouorter Since the outbreak OF the war the
French and German fleets had been chasing
each other over the face OF the waters.
The authorities in Berlin issued stringent
orders 10 their Admirals to adopt every device
70 avoid fighting the French. Their supreme
efforts must be devoted to harrying the COM
merce OF France and damaging her colonial
empire.
Disastrous blows we're struck in this fash
ION. and the French sailors ragged in n fury OF
disappointment when they failed time after
time to bring their enemy to close quarters.
In one locality only vera they assured OF
safety for liners and merchantmen. The
few German cruisers in the Mediterranean
were quickly chased out OF II. At last the
Ministry OF Marine in Paris determined to
sweep the North Sea and the Baltic with the
whole OF their available force. and with this
object a grand concentration was ordered at
Brest.
This was the move that Germany had been
waiting for. 1t was toe tempt France into
some such exploit that her warships we're os-
tentatiously withdrawn to the neighborhood
OF Kiel and Bremerhaven.
The Kaiser counted on the strength OF his
shore defences to safeguard his coasts. On
the day that the French fleet. n superb army
OF fighting material. stood out into the Eng
lish channel and headed for the Straits OF Do
YER, every fast cruiser in the German Navy
disappeared from the Baltic and North Seas
and.they we're sighted by English fishing boats
apparently making for Iceland.
The French attributed this move to fear; in
whitehall. where naval matters were more
clearly understood. its object was read and
prepared for.
Definite orders were sent to the Admiral
commanding the British Mediterranean feet
with the result that the vessels stationed at
Gibraltar and those gathered near Malta sud-
denly sailed with sealed orders.
Thus, when it came to pass that when the
lost German squadron, after sailing roSnd by
the Hebrides and down the north Atlantic.
suddenly swooped like birds Of prey upon the
Sahara Canal works at Boca Grande and Gabes.
the two sections found an overpowerinR Brit
ishSforce calmly awaiting them.
Protestation was useless. buster merely
evoked a comparison Of the relative weights
Of ships and guns.
The British commanders pointed out that
England was greatly interested in the Sa-
hara. She would no sooner permit the de-
struction Of the irrigation methods adopted
by vansittart than witness unmoved the
blowing up OF the Suez Canal.
, She simply forbade any attack. When
German ships met French ships. let them pur-
sue the quarrel by all means. but in the case
of a great colony where British capital was
largely invested. 1t was a matter Of hands
off,"
The alternative was sail or sink. Tothe in
tense grief OF every man on board the British
ships. the discounted raiders chose the safer
course.
For once France was grateful.
Not ayop which,, ,1,sol a.
ing both France and England in war at the
same time.
If these two led the concert of Europe, all
others must pipe their tune.