The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-25
COAST
FOOTHOLO SOUGHT
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of the earth have great naval histories,
and even with their little uavics OF to-
day they would give some of the lars-
err nations night 1t is largely mat
ter of training. For instance, France
has always had a good navy. France
has built many a ship which has later
proved OF value to England, after huv-
ing been stripped OF some of the fancy
appliances and made practicable Franco
simply is not Il watering hting country
History does not seem TO show IL to
have been in The world
Great Britain has a sraat naval
history She has been mistress of the
sea, and to-day is prepared to protect
her property. Grent Britain always
has been water-hghting nation.
probably because her homo territory
was so small. and the nation became
progressive while there was opportu-
made II necessary for Great Britain
10 DO ready TO fight on the ocean, and
she has fought on the ocean with much
Yalor.
The Russians Chinese and Turks
have done little in spite of the aga OF
' II
ana sea-iightins nation but that
was all swept aside by the United
states IN one seaisht. Italy is pre-
pared to show n good fight, but ii is
doubtful ii shc would be one. two
three with any of the great countries
with creator navies.
Japan, a new world power, has
done little lighting on the sea, but the
little lighting sho has done has proved
that her navy was well commanded
and scientifically moved in spite CT the
fact that her hght!ng was principally
against China which never had naval
strength.
Gcrnany's Naval History.
Now, this brings us down to Ger
many. Search your history and see
how much German blood mas been shed
through her naval history and see ii
there is anything which would indi-
cato that she has past to give
strength TO the present It is truo that
the reports show that her men make
good with their guns. probably not so
good as the American gunners. but the
real test would DO In their ight'ng
under fire. Have they the COMMAND.
ers To take charge OF those ships and
move them under fire, who have been
through the trial in former scraps?
presume you get what l am driving
at. II is a matter of experience.
1T has not been long since | was
aboard German battleship. and re-
member with much surprise and inter-
est now the officers pointed out this
scientific appliance and another diih-
cult looking apparatus They were
proud of them. In fact. Germany seems
to bo q country which Is trying to set
ehe pace for the rest OF tho world in
originality, The Germans are proud OF
their originality.
II wonder how they would manipu.
late those 'highl-- scientific and orig
inal appliances with American or Eng
lish gunners firing ut thcm. THAT
would be most interesting to know.
fancy they would have becn an in
teresttng demonstration OF plain and
simple appliances. had they been with
Dewey"
This naval officer has practically tho
same opinion as nearly all the other
old naval officers. that tho Germans
arc more interested in the work of
the United states Navy than in any
other He asserted that the Germans
have repeatedly kept step. II not tried
to uutdo. the United states in the con
struction of battleships and that they
nave built largely and attempted TO
build more efficiently along the Same
tines as the United States.