South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-09-26
BLAME OFFICERS
FOR HEAVY Loss
Admiralty Points Out First Duty
of Ships in Case of Accident
to Another is to Protect
Themselves.

LONDON. Sept. 26.-The press bu-
reau OF the admiralty issued Friday
night an official account of the sink
ing Of the three cruisers, Aboukir.
Cressy and Hogue. giving the reports
Of the senior officers who survived
and have been landed in England.
The press bureau announcement
says:
The Aboukir was in ordinary
hazard on patrolling duty. The Hogue
and the Cressy were sunk because
they proceeded 10 the assistance Of
their cOnsort and remained with en-
gines stopped, endeavoring to save
life and presenting an easy and GER
tain target for further submarine
attacks.
THE natural promptings OF hu-
mainly led TO heavy losses which
could have been avoided by strict ad-
herence to military considerations.
Modern naval war presents so many
new and strange situations that an err
ror in Judgment Of this kind is par
donable.
Should Use Small Craft.
mo act OF humanity, whether for
friend or foe, should lead to neglect
of proper precautions or dispositions.
In war no measures can be taken to
save life which prejudice the military
situation. Small craft of all kinds
should be directed by wireless TO run
close to a damaged ship with all
speed.
THE loss of nearly 60 officers and
1,400 men would not have been
grudged if it had been brought about
by gun fire in open action, but it is
peculiarly distressing under the cOndi-
tons which prevailed. The absence Of
any ardOr or excitement OF an engage
ment did not prevent display OF dis
cipline, cheerful courage and ready
self sacrifice among all ranks.
The duty on which these vessels
were engaged was an essential part OF
the arrangements by which control
of the seas and the safety of the coun-
| try are maintained. The lives lost
were as usefully, necessarily and glO-
| riously devoted to the requirements
Of the sea as if the loss had been in
CURED in general action. In view of
| the certainty of a proportion of mis-
| fortunes of this character occurring
| from time TO time, ii is important that
this point be thoroughly appreciated.
Were OF Slow Speed.
1.-THE loss OF three cruisers, part
| from the loss of life, is of small naval
| significance. Although they were
| large, powerful ships, they belonged
| to a class of cruisers whose speed
J would have been surpassed by many
of the enemy's battleships 1t had
| been decided that no more money
should be spent repairing this class
and that they should make their way
| to the sale list as soon as serious de-
| fects become manifest"
The admiralty states that it is nee
essary To point out for future guild
ance that the conditions which pre-
vail when one vessel OF a squadron
is injured in a mine field. or exposed
to submarine attack, are analogous to
those occurring in action.
The rule of leaving disabled ships
to their own resources is applicable,
so far, at any rate, as large vessels
are concerned.
The press bureau makes public the
detailed reports given by Commander
w. l. Nicholson of the Cressy, and
Commander r. A. Norton of the
Hogue There is nothing in the re-
ports of these officers that has not
been contained in press dispatches.
The officers praise the conduct of the
men and say there was no panic on
! the stricken ShiDS