The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-08-10

ceilent torpedo fleet. and in taking the
aggressive in the torpedo attacks she
could hope for an advantage. Just what
value such an attack would have against
battle ship organization was not
definitely known. The French have laid
great store upon the value of torpedo
attack and their relative strength In de-
stroyers and torpedo boats is very high.
Practically everything in material in the
fleets would be put to its first severe
practical test in this expected naval en-
9sgement. The naval constructors of the
different nations each have developed
mere or less differing theories on the
value of armor. Whether protective ar
roor is of any real value to dreadnought
or whether dependence should be placed
solely in striking power would now be seen
Also. the relative value of shells designed
&c pierce armor plate and Of those which
explode outside the vessel and depend
upon the destructive power Of that ex-
Iplosion would be tested.
Germany lately had made great strides
in the development of her aerial fleet for
use with the navy. and for the first time
the value OF these air machines would be
tested.
Great Value OF Naval Engagements.
Although public attention probably would
be concentrated upon the appalling losses
of the great land engagements. the naval
conflicts would have far greater value
for the military observers. When Europe
has ended this great struggle the United
States will be able to develop its naval
strength upon practical and not upon
theoretical lincs.
In the south the great struggle was ex-
peeted to come over the Adriatic ports Of
Austria. Fiume and Trieste The French
fleet would probably make for the Adria;ic
carly in the conflict and there engage the
combined Italian and Austrian navies. In
battle ship strength France was about the
equal of Italy and Austria together. while
In cruisers. destroyers and torpedo boats
France had the advantage.
According to the United States Navy
Year Book, France has only two battle
ships Of the dreadaought type. that is.
with main batteries of all big guns: Italy
and Austria have two each of this type Sc
that the advantage lies with the allies
there. But France has eighteen battle
ships of the next class. to eight for Italy
and six for Austria. Also in armored
cruisers France has the advantage with
twenty vessels, as compared to nine in the
Italian fleet and two in the Austrian. In
destroyers and torpedo boats France also
has the greater strength numerically.
To none of these Powers does its fleet
mean what 1t does to Great Britain. 1t Is
the strength OF the iatters empire. With
out its naval supremacy England is at the
mercy of any Continental Power. 1t de-,
ponds upon its merchant marine for It's
very existence. and the merchant marine
depends upon the fleet The other coun-
tries can be self-sustaining for time, but
England cannot be. 1t must keep open Its
trade routes to India, to the Far East and
over the Atlantic to the United States and
Canada. So England has taken no chances
She has outbuilt her great rival. Germany.
on basis Of two Seels to one and has
practically accomplished that tremendous
task. although 1t has nearly bankrupted
her in the undertaking
The loss Of her fleet to Germany would
be a crushing blow. though 1t would not be
comparable to the loss to England Ger
many has an immensely valuable COM
merce and Is a colonial Power as well.
The object of France would be to close
the Austrian ports in the Adristic. Aus
tria, with command OF these ports, could
transport her land forces for campaigns
against Montenegro and into the Balkans,
and to hold these ports open with COM
mand Of the sea would strengthen her
Igreatly In receiving supplIes