The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1908-12-21
IHP0SSIBILITY OF INVASION
A German Military Expert Shows How
Unfounded are EneIand's Fears
of Germany

Berlin. Dec. 20.-"Great Britain's
fear OF a German invasion Of the
country must make every man who
knows anything about modern STRAIT
egg smile" says Col. Gaedke, the Der
iin Tageblatt's famous military expert.
'and Lord Roberts speech IN the
House OF Lords some three weeks ago
was very smart piece of work whic
may lead TO the Strengthening of the
British army which the jingoes desire
but 1t cannot possibly be looked at as
a real expression Of the eminent gen
erals opinion"
A Question for Lord Roberts
Lord Roberts under estimates the
difficulties Of assembling a German
force OF 100000 troops and transport
ing them to England without arouslng
attention. Such a thing is absolutely
impossible in our military organiza-
ton without mobilization. that is,
without recalling the men on furiough.
and without requisitioning horses
even if we were willing TO disorganize
our regular standing army for such
an adventure. For the proper equip
ment OF such an expedition the field
artillery would require to be augment
ed. while ammunition and provision
columns. telegraph corps, and num-
erous wagons for the infantry and
cavalry would have to be provided.
Does Lord Roberts believe an army
could live on foreign coasts ever for
few days without such equipment?
Let us suppose that a feet of trans
ports for an army of 100000 were con-
stantly at hand in the German ports
Even then. and even il the voyage was
short certain conspicuous preparations
would be entailed. The ships would
require to be assembled and made
ready for the embarkation OF troops.
would draw attention to the slow
ness with which the transport Of the
Japanese troops to the Asiatic main
land was carried out, despite the over
whelming maritime superiority which
Japan enjoyed from the start-a slow
ness which enabled Russia to assem-
bic an equally large army under in
comparably more difficult circum-
stances.
The completeness of modern meth
DDS OF news communication makes 1t
impossible to keep such preparations
secret longer than twenty four hours.
Before the enemy's entire forces could
be assembled on English soil England
would have time for counter measures.
In other words, under the best con-
ceivable circumstances the possibility
Of which can hardly be admitted. Eng
land would have at least eight full
days.
Where Would the English Fleet Be?
Where during all this time would
the English fleet. with it's preponder-
ance Of more than two to one. remain
An army of 100000 men comprises at
the utmost 100000 combatants. No
French or German general will hold it
possible with so small an army of
which at most only 100000 men would
reach the front 20 overthrow coun-
/ try like Great Britain. Even now
Great Britain would be able to Assem-
bic forces sufficient at least to pro-
long the struggle The army of inva-
sion. however, must remain in I'M
broken communication with the home
country If il is not TO drift into a
most perilous position. and finally be
compelled to capitulate. II will at the
start not have ammunition for more
than two battles"