Evening journal., 1914-12-16
today 5 moves
IN THE WARZONE:.
WHAT They MEAN
Former European Manager OF the United
Press
By J. W. T. MASON

Press.
NEW YORK, Dee. l6 on a. MI
Today's raid on the English coast 10y
German cruisers is probably an isolated
attack and does not suggest itself as
an Indication that the Naiser's battle
acct has been ordered TO put Britain's
super .droadnoughis to the test. The
bombardmcnt OF Scarborough, lingland's
famous health resort so popular with
Americans. Whitby and Hartlepool are
doubtless no more than desperate
search for revenge for the destruction
of Admiral Won Specs squadron.
The German vessels apparently cross.
ed the North Sea under cover of last
nights darkness. From the shelter OF
the Elbe and Woser naval stations to
Scarborough and Ilartlepool, is p
hour journey Tor the spccdiest cruisers
of the German fleet. Complete darkness
exists for about that time at this sea-
son In the North Sea The Taiding
squadron. therefore cannot have had
much difficulty in reaching the open
sea. despite the watchiulness of the
British guardian ships. With lights ont,
the Germans steamed through the
night timing their arrival of the Eng
lish coast at sunrise. The bombnrdment
Of Scarborough began at 7.j6 81. M, ana
the almanac gives the sunrise in Eng
land TODAY at S.Ol a. m
This remarkable punctuality ON the
part OF the Germans was followed by a
mpid shellmg OF Scarborough and then q
Journey of the raiders northward. bonn
harding the coast as they proceeded. The
movement against llarllepool seems 20
have Deen AN affair OF its own. the Ger.
man squadron apparently separating
Just before reaching the English coast.
The British Admiralty must have been
notified as soon as the presence of the
Germans was known and wireless direc.
tions were at once issued 20 the fleet AZ
sea. The first report of the Admiralty
saws British "hotillas" are engaged at
several points. BY this probably is
meant torpedoboat dcstroyers or light
cruisers. possibly dispatched from HUH.
a. miles south OF Scarborough u
heavy ships had come mp with the Ger
mans the term "hotillas' would not
llNNN UfiN WNihs
The German sonadron may have tor
pcdo boats of its own and in any event
the British light craft would have dilf-
Guilty in making the Germans fight il
they wished TO retire. Nevertheless. only
the most deXtrous scamanship and OK
traordinary luck can save the rndne
squadron ii British destroyers are in
touch with them The Germans were
detected on the British side of the NORTH
Sea as a fun day of sunlight was be.
ginning and ron miles separating them
from the protection of Hcligoland.
This is the opportunity the British
navy has been waiting for II would
seem as If quick action viii almost ccr-
tainly be able TO cut of the Germans ana
will keep them in the open sea until an
overwhelming force can be- brought
against them. II will bc necessary for
the Germans to trust to luck through
ont today's sunlight and then try TO
steal home when darkness comes. The
sun sets in England today al 3.ia p.
M The Germans thus have chosen n
dav of almost minimum light for their
iraid aud this circumstance favors them.
/ Nevertheless high skill ON the part OF
/ the British deets should lead to the
humiliation of the little squadron.
/ iOthervisc. the balance of naval prestige
will swing once more to the Germans.