The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-04

ton OF the cruisers Aboukir,
Greasy and Hogue, wave OF
indignation swept over the Brit
ish Isles and there was popular de-
mand that the losses should be speedily
and amply revenged. Winston Church
ILL., First Lord OF the Admiralty. had
Just before t.,is declared that It was the
intention Of the authorities to despatch
ere long the British feet on the mission
of digging out" the German fleet from
It's position OF strategic inactlon.
Can the British navy do what was
promised by Mr.. Churchill? Can the
British and the Russian navies COM
bined dig out" the KaIser's armored
sduadrons? Doesn't the key to this
crucial problem rest In the keeping
OF still another nation? What chances
have Germanys naval foes of dealing
her a disastrous blow unless Denmark
lends her aid nj vital point to the
operations of the allies?
Let US start from the outside and
work inward and by the outside the
North Sea Is meant. Americans have
cause for special interest in this ques-
ton, because on n smaller scale. Ger
many's strategic position. owing to the
Kiel Canal, is decidedly akin to that OF
tho United States at Panama.
In 1890 England gave over to Ger
many. in exchange for Zanzibar and the
ksiser's possessions OF Wituland and
Samaliland. the little island OF Hego-
land lying in the North Sea near tn.
German coast and nearly equidistant
from the mouths OF the Elbe and the
Weser Rivers. On the face of 1t, II looked
very much as II Germany had paid
dearly for her whistle. For centuries
the erosve waters of the North Sea
had gnawed away at this rocky isle
which Is but mile long. and only its
altitude Of $50 feet or more made It pos
sIoie Tor 1t to keep Its head above the
surface indeed, Its destruction seemed
but matter of time and the British
authorities showed no disposition 10
check the seas inroads or to reap any
material advantage from the place
England to-day has reason TO RTE
that exchange. Helgoland is the
smallest Jewel in Germany's crown. but
It shines brilliantly because OF its pro-
tective value 1t Is Germans Gibraltar
ana what Is more a far more effective
base or strategic outpost than its older
rival
After the transfer of the island to
tho Kalsers sovereignty no time
was lost In erecting defensive bull
warks or seawalls Of Swedish granite
which we're capable of battling effec-
lively with the angry seas in a manner
quite different from the red sandstone
rock Of Helgoland. In addition to this
dikes were reared on the nearby flank
Ing island OF Duene. thus arresting the
sweep OF the waves and affording a
sheltered anchorage for the biggest OF
battle craft. At the same time an
ARTIFICIAL harbor was created by the
building OF extensive breakwaters at
the southern end Of Helgoland and
there to-day Germany has assembled
formidable array of submarines and
destroyers
When Emperor William took over this
apparently worthless North Sea island
he declared that II would become "a
bulwark upon the sea, a base OF opera
tons for the feet and a haven and
protection for the home waters" The
installing of extremely powerful armored
batteries has made OF Helgoland all
that the Kaiser predicted
Helgoland lies forty-slx miles off the
mouth OF the Elbe. hut strateg!cally IL IL
much nearer the coast because Ot the
manner in which the treacherous sand
bars force large ships further from the
continental shore. Indeed the free
space for hostile craft inside OF Helgo-
land Is so narrow, probably not more
than fifteen miles. that the Islands
batteries of heavy mortars and power
full rifles form an integral part OF tho
immediate defence OF the llttornl. In
short, an enemy's squadrons would have
70 reckon with the guns OF Iielgoand in
making a demonstration against the
mouth OF the Elbe leading To HamburG
or when operating at the entrance 4
the Weser the path TO Bremen. or the
Jade, by which the German squadrons
reach Wilhelmshaven. Germanys prime
naval base upon the North Sea.
On the other hand. from Borkum a
the mouth of the Ems north to tn,
southern boundary of Denmark. tn,
numerous islands and shallow water,
form natural hiding places for TORPEDO
boats and submarines, while the shift
ing nature OF the neighboring sand
banks constitutes in Itself suiiclen
protection against the landing of n hos
tile force upon the coast OF Schleswig
Holstein. In time of war. Of course
lighthouses would he dark and all othel
navigational guides removed.
In addition to this the German rail,
roads would facilitate the movement o
troops and their speedy concentration In
a manner calculated to meet any inva
sion could a safe landing be effected