Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-20
CHURCHILL TAUNT
GETS DEADLY REPLY
FROM GERMAN RATS
Raiders Warfare, Stroke for
Kaiser, May Be Aban-
doned for Bold Dash Upon
/ England, Experts Argue.

why has there been no great naval bat
ue in the European war7
THE answer reveals the far-sighted
strategy of the German General staff.
Rut the world may not be kept in sus-
nsnse great while longer. The feeling
is general over Europe that sea fight of
sone kind is certain to come within a
few weeks.
II is known that the German fleet Ia
bueging its native shores and keeping be-
vond the range of the enemys fire within
ihe havens Of Kiel Canal, the Baltic and
bases at Wilhelmshaven. The Russian
feet is bottled UP In the Black and Baltic
seas. The French warships are guard
ing the vast coast of France and engag-
ing In minor actions in the Adriatic. The
yaunted British navy is patroling the
North Sea and English Channel to ward
of any attempted invasion of British
shores.
So the vast navies of Europe to all
practlcal purposes, have been deadlocked
Is a watchful waiting policy.
NEW TACTICS.
Yesterdays dispatches declared that
Admiral Won Tirpitz, commander Of the
German naval forces, had arrived at Ant
1yerp This was taken to indicate that
naval operations of some kind were in
contemplation. Berlin war officials an
nounced a change in the German tactics.
Coupled, these developments were inter-
preted to mean that the Kaiser was plan
ming a new and daring attack on his
long-hated foe, Great Britain. Further,
Il was stated that battleshps of the AL
lies had concentrated on the coast of
Belgium, in the region around Nieuport,
and were bombarding the Germans from
the sea. Whether or not the British
North Sea patrol had been weakened was
not indicated. A powerful factory in Ed
jnburgh, on the North Sea, was seized by
the British military forces, and the inti-
nation was that il was.to be fortified
against possible invasion.
Should the Kaiser attempt to place foot
on British soil 1t would he the most dar-
ing move of all his bold challenges since
he dehed substantially the whole Of ELL
rope in a war of the nations.
The Battle of Heligoland, early after
the outbreak of hostilities, obviously was
a lesson to the sea forces of Germany.
A daring sortie cost the Teutons six bat
tleships. Since then no attempt has been
made to engage the British in open sea
fight, the Germans guarding their own
coast and keeping we'll under the protec-
ton Of powerful forts and within the
limits floating mines made excursion of
the enemy deadly and costly.
CHURcHILL's TAUNT.
Winston Spencer Churchill, First Lord
of the British Amiralty, taunted the Ger
mans on such tactics and dared them
into the open. He said they were like
rats in hole, and If they would not come
out and fight the British would pull them
out and make them fight. But the Ger
mans would not be pulled out. When 1t
suited their good pleasure, little Iron
rats" darted out from their holes and
British battleship went to the bottom.
Beside, the Germans sent little floating
explosives down the currents of the North
Sea and more British warcraft was
wrecked.
In addition, German cruisers, the Nurn-
berg, Leipsig and Emden, have wrought
havoc with British shipping. The Emden
alone has sunk six British merchant ships
in Bengal Bay. Her work had been like
that of the pigmy Alabama in the Ameri-
can Civil War.
Germanys naval policy. hence, has
been to carry on a raiders warfare, strik-
ing blow where blow counted and do
ing as much damage as possible with
least cost to itself. And the German sub
marine has proved the new terror Of the
sea.
But what of the new policy, If such has
been adopted? VIII Germany risk battle
with Great Britain, whose naval forces
are vastly superior, in numbers and ton
mage. at least? England Is stronger at
sea than both Germany and France COM
bned.
INVASION OF ENGLAND.
Suggestion of an invasion of Great
Britain has been scOffed at throughout
4 a-FN al FI
warships to guard its coasts the Island
Kingdom has had little fear of trespass
from invaders. How could the Kaiser
land troops in England?
Formidable entrance OF the Zeppelin
aircraft has wrought changes IN the
attitude of the British and many military
experts throughout Europe. An invasion
of England, whether or not designed by
the Kaiser. is not now so generally
hooted.
II has been demonstrated that Ger
many was too wise to challenge OPEN
battle with her superior on the waters
Instead, Germany struck blow after blow
under the sea. Zeppelins, II Is argued,
will ny over water just as easily as
over land Then, why not attack the
British navy from the air, from under
the waters and bring up the ordinary
battleships somewhat as Teinforcements.
Experts do not hesitate to assert that
hne hdlSel mas taken antwerp dS a uhsSt
and is seeking TO take Dunkirk, to trans
port troops TO British soil. Zeppelins,
they argue, will be used to ward on
the British ships, and the transports
will be guarded by the German battle
ships.
UNDERSEA AND AIR RAIDS.
Why should the Kaiser not attempt to
cross the channel and carry the war
into England? Not a foot of German
coil is in the hands of invading foe, un-
less possibly certain points of East
Prussia and those Of doubtful strategic
value. Strongholds of gigantic strength
guard the empire. Why should not
blow be struck at the base Of supplies OF
The enemy? These questions have led
experts 10 believe that Germany is in
position TO attack Great Britain.
Increased activity in the building Of
zeppelins also is taken to indicate this
purpose. The Zeppelins have proved
their worth. They have aided in the
campaign in France, and the German
Government contends that not one OF
them has been brought down by the hre
OF the Allies. 1t is pointed out that the
construction OF the machine, with its
many compartments for gas, protects II
against bullet puncture, the loss OF sew
eral OF these being of little damage to
the flight