The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-24
n Speculation by Count Ernst
Won kcycntlow.

Won Rcvcntlow.
There have been two explanations
Of the German purpose In extending
the line of invasion to the coast of
Belgium west OF Bruges. with Dunkirk
and, possibly, Calais nS detectives. One
explanation was that the General Staff
meditated new campaign against
Paris from the north after breaking
| UP communications Of the allies with
North Sen ana Channel ports The other
explanation, received IN England with
incredullty, was thar from coast base
which the Germans expected to secure
an attack by Ieppelins would h"
launched against London. to be- fol-
lowed by invasion with the aid Of the
navy. Details wcre lacking. and the
scheme was declared 10 M chimcrical
Yet In nm article contributed by Count
ERNST Won REyrNTLOw. the naval spe.
cialist, to Dds GrosSere Deutsrhinnd. n
war publication designed 10 influence
public opinion in the Scandinavian
countries il As said that the German
tactics are IA means to the end of
final campaign for the conquest Of Eng
land. The article is entitled what Is
| Our Navy Doing" Not very much at
present VoN RfvrNrrow admits. because
great reserve Is TO he practised until
France has been subdued. Continuing
he says
The object Of the war is the overthrow
OF England. To this end the overthrow
OF France Is necessary preliminary
not only indirectly. because We shall then
have one capable enemy the less. hu; al
rectly The coasts OF Belgium and France
increase and strengthen our base for the
war against England Those coasts are.
indeed. Indispensable for such a war. If
It is to be carried on with energy and
| activity.
1t IL the theory of this authority,
whose hatred OF England Is notorious,
that II the Germans can establish them
selves on the cast from Ostend to Ca
lnis and make sure of their land COM
munications back OF the coast base Eng
lands naval dispositions will have to
undergo n change and fleet COnccn.
tration will no longer be possible. lie
describes the rank and file of the Ger
man navy as plning for the Opportu-
nifty that will come after geography
has been corrected" His meaning oh.
viously is that when England is threat.
ened from the other side of the Chan
mel the naval patrol will have to be
extended and what is now practically
n blockade of both the Skagerrack and
the Kiel Canal will cease to be effec-
tive choosing it's own time and method
Of attack the German fleet will then
force the British fleet 10 accept battle
at disadvantage.
The speculation may impress lands
men who regard Count Won REvrNTLow
what he does not explain Is how the
possession of any part Of the coast of
France could become Il menace to Eng
land. IL Is plain that unless a torpedo
boat base could be mainta lncd II would
not matter how many German soldiers
were In camp opposite the English
coast. and In order to establish such
n base II would be necessary for sub
marines and destrOyers to clear the
mouths OF the Ems, Weser nnd Elbe ANA
the harbor of Helgoland and run the
gantlet TO the French coast. This
would be Il very forlorn hope. MS the
British hotilln is in superior strength.
and. backed by patrollng cruisers In
great numbers, is on the watch at all
the holes" for such n sally. Day
light would be needed for movement
Of submarine craft and destrOyers In
force, and II must be borne in mind
that the pntrollng fleet is well served
by aviators who could detect any dem
Onstrntlon on large Srale If the
enemy. II may be concluded that the
possession of any part OF the French
coast by the German land forces would
not compel Sir John JrILICor to change
his dispositions In the North Sen ma
terially,
II II Is true that the sailors Of the
Kniser's fleet arr plning for an oppOr-
tunity to engage the British wnrshps
there seems TO be nothing for II but to
steam out OF the Skagerrack or the
mouth Of the Elhe with decks cleared
for action aud offer battle.