Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-08-16
BRITISH NAVAL EXPERTS OPINION
OF THE WAR.

OF The WAN.
During A recent visit to Portsmouth
| have had the opportunity OF hearing the
views Of some of our naval and military
authorities on the subject OF recent
achievements Of American arms. Lieu
tenant Hobson's feat Is naturally that
which most strikes the Imagination OF
naval men. Surprise was expressed that
the operation OF countermining Was not
resorted to ut Santiago. On board the
series Of vessels known ~ the vernon
(the torpedo establishment at Ports
mouth) working model is shown OF an
apparatus intended for the same pur-
pose ~ that for which the Merrimac was
sunk by Lieutenant Hobson and his
gallant companions. This apparatus
enables vessel, without soul on board,
| to be controlled from the flagship. Her
engines are started and stopped by cleo
tricity. Her steering gear Is operated
| by the same means; and at given
point, within a radius of about two and
q half miles, the engines are stopped and
the ship herself sunk by touching key
on board the flagship, which explodes a
charge Of guncotton. Naval men at
Portsmouth are curious to know whether
the American navy Is provided With this
device.
The admiration and interest mani
tested In the destruction OF Admiral
Cervera's feet are indescribable. Our
naval officers look upon II a. splendid
achievement, rejecting inexpressio'e
credit on the officers and men Of the
blockading squadron. The practical
immunity from the effects OF Spanish
fire by Admiral Simpsons feet IL con-
sidered as eloquent testimony to the de-
sign and construction Of the American
ships. II Is believed that the vogue OF
the battleship will be greatly enhanced
by the teachings Of the battle of Santi-
sgo, and that naval problems left unset
tied by the engagement at falu Will now
be elucidated. The fine gunnery tradi-
tionsl 10 the American navy has been
maintained, and to perfect training In
fire discipline Is the victory largely due.
Such Ia the crushing disparity between
the naval capacity OF the two nations
that Il IL believed that II the Spanish
fleet had been manned and fought by
American officers and crews, and Admir-
al SIMPSONS squadron led by Admiral
| Cervera and his officers and men, the
loss OF life on the American side might
perhaps have been greater, but the re-
| suit would have been the same. IL proof
were needed, Il Is supplied by the gal
liant action OF the Gloucester, command
ed by Lieutenant Wainwright. VAIN
wright's failure TO observe his admirars
signsl Is Nelsonic. The opinion OF the
professional experts comedies with that
OF the hard. worked lieutenants OF the
Channel squadron. 1t Is that the Amer.
lean nsvy, both Ms regards personnel and
md,eriei. Is now rs near perfection a.
skill, courage, practice and discipline
can attain, and Is quite As good as the
best In the world. IL may be interesting
10 add that this result is ascribed partial
| liz to the freedom from political inter
ference enjoyed by the fleets oil the
United States. These views, which are
general, were not expressed for publica-
ton, and therefore possess such value rs
attaches TO unprecedented and sincere
appreciation. German comment on
| Commodore Schley's victory IL scidulous,
but since the achi. vements OF the Ger
man navy are still on the knees oil the
gods, the acerbity OF Teuton ooserva-
tons NAV he borne BY Americans with
equanimity. The German emperor Is
not the type Of man TO be trusted with
battleship.. In the interests OF human
ity, It ia a pity he has contracted taste
for color 'es. The Germans will hsve a
bitter awakening when they learn that
their colonial aspirations will lesd TO
nothing so long as the pickelhsube sys-
tenn OF administration Is adopted. The
German navy IL a dsnger-point.--Arnold
White. In iIsrper's Weekly.