The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-05-19
ENGLAND OPEN TO INVASION
German Of1cers Who Say London Could BE
Taken In 40 Hours.

l INASu ou ElouTS'
Is a'German invasion Of England posi-
ble2 This lie the question that some OF
the French newspapers are discussing
The discussion was started by the recent
publication in Germany over the sigma
ture Of officers of rank M credit OF 6
statement that thirty-six hours after the
Kaiser expressed his desire 10 settle. with
! England London would fall into the hands
Of an imperial army.
The affirmative case Is based On the
assumption that Germany would not wait
for a declaration Of war. but would take
England by surprise, making a dash at
some unguarded spot on the English coast
somewhat az Admiral Togo began his
operations at Port Arthur. The dash
would be made from Wlhelmshafen or the
mouth Of the Ems. A few hours sail at a
time j~udiciously chosen would suffice to
land IN army before the British ships could
rally to stop IL.
Paul Fontin. formerly secretary to Ad-
miral Aube and an expert writer on stra-
tegic questions. lie one Of those who, in the
abstract. consider an invasion OF England
possible. The defective English army sye-
ten, he thinks. subjects the country to
constant danger Of invasion. There is
nothing. he believes. to prevent the land
ing OF hostile troops at several points on
the English coast simultaneously.
But Nd. Fontin thinks that at present
France IL the only Power that could carry
out this enterprise with any prospect OF
debarred from undertaking II alone by the
absolute and ~irremediable impotency' Of
her feet. She has gone altogether on a
wrong tack. he thinks. in building battle
ships and cruisers, in which she nno
hope to rival England in years. II ever.
IF, however. Germany had O hundred
submarines.' he says, and she could secure
them at the cost OF two battleships, Eng
land would be on the verge OF ruin. Thu
submarine will make the blockade Of the
future effective, and England cannot pos.
sibly stand a three months blockade
NJ. Laubeuf, Engineer in Chief of the
French navy, who is credited with the orea-
ton Of the efficient submarine service OF
France. said in answer TO a question:
IF you had asked me five years ago
whether England could be successfully
invaded by Germany ! would have said
Yes But now that England has sub
marines | do not hesitate to declare that
ii is impossible. German threats are abso-
lutely vain. England is well guarded to-
day
Minister of Marine. considers the German
proposition a wild dream.
Invade England" said he. Easy TO
say, but hard to do. The German navy 10
certainly not Of the build to do it. AS for
surprise, the distance between the German
ports and the English coast is too great TO
make u @ a thing possible. Long before
the invading ships could arrive the Channel
feet would be after them.
The invasion Of England, IL will be ad-
mitted. could not be undertaken with less
than 10000 men. 1t would take $50 ships
TO transport them, along with the munitions
OF war. Where would Germany get the
ships--of a sudden. to take England by
surprise?
And what would 100, 900 men be doing
on English soil without a regular system
Of supplieei Modern war is a war Of pro-
visions. The surprise over, the English
feet could certainly cut of all aid from the
Continent,
The army Of invasion would be an army
Of prisoners. AS for the rising of the
I50, 600 German walters in London to assist
their oompatriots-well, il Germany counts
the mobilization of the cafe help to con-
quer England she is certainly trading in
chimeras.'
Admiral Bienaime adds just a word to
the controversy.
ITO invade England said he, the in
should De sure Of the command of
the sea. ] don see how, in view Of the
present naval strength Of England, Germany
could fgure on such command. even in a