The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-09

naval case ana, tuTtner, tne rohosteaul
Of scapa Flow in the orkney Isles has
been enlarged into cruiser station.
These are measures 80 directly and OBJ
viously directed against us that they
demand an inquiry into the military
position thus created"
He does not believe Germany could
effect much by a sudden attack on the
English feet or by attempt to war on
British policy. Under the circumstances
her fleet would have 10 retire under the
guns OF coast Notifications and walt for
favorable opportunities to attack
Gen. Won Bernhard does not pro-
fess to be an authority on naval mat
tiers and in giving his views as to
the probable naval strategy Of Germany
he seeks simply to point the probable
| dangers and how they can be met.
This extract indicates the fate Of any
| transatlantic liners which may be cap
tured by German cruisers:
"The prizes which fall into our hands
must he rcrnorselessly destroyed, since
| IL will usually he impossible. owing to
| the great English superiority and the
| few bases we have abroad, to bring
them back In safety without exposing
our vessels to great risks. The sharpest
measures must be taken against neutral
ships laden with contraband."
Two kinds OF blockade are available
| to England against Germany. England
can blockade closely our North Sea
coast. and at the same time bar the
| Danish straits so as to cut Off commu-
nications with our Baltic ports, or she
can seal up on the one side the Chan
mel between England and the Continent,
| on the other side the open sea between
7 4
the Peterhend- Ekersund line. and thus
! cripple our oversee commerce and also
control the Belgo-Dutch. Danish and
] Swedish shipping"
| Owing to the length Of the coast line
to be covered, the distance from naval
bases and the liability OF English block
aiding ships to attack by German tor
pedo boats and submarines the close
/ blockade Is deemed impracticable. Gen.
Won Bernhard thinks that England
| plans the second kind OF blockade and
| regards the harbor works at Rosyth
and Scapa Flow as having been under
! taken with such an end in view 1t
| would email on the north the barring Of
| a line about 300 nautical miles long, a
scheme quite feasible from the military
aspect. only a small force Is required
to seal up the Channel. TtC great OBJ
lection TO this kind of blockade is
that II requires England TO break up
her fleet into two or three divisions,
and thus gives Germany a chance of
attacking some detached portions with
success.
But 1t is improbable. Gen Won Bern
hard thinks. that England would have
recourse to a mere blockade. Many rea-
sons impe the English to secure a
4 IL 81, -, .
reclion In which they are likely to move
Is thus indicated:
They could not obtain a decisive re-
suit unless they attempted to capture
our naval Wilhelms haven, Hell
igoland, the mouth of ,he F,lbe and Kiel
and to annihilate our fleet I'm It's at
tempt to protect these places and thus
render IL impossible for us TO continue
the war by sea our whole fii-
turc history may turn upon the i'm
pregnability OF the fortiiiCations which
in combination with the fleet, are in.
tended To guard our coasts and nava
bases"
III the French feet--as we may ex.
pect-combines with the English and
takes part in the war" Gen. Won Bern
hardi continues, ut will he much NOR,
difficult for us TO wage than a war with
England alone. Frances blue water
fleet would hold our allies in the Med
terranean in check, and England coulC
bring all her forces to bear upon us
e II would be possible that Combincc
= fleets OF the two Powers Nigh, appea
n both In the Mediterranean and in tn
: North Sea, since England could hardl.
y leave the protection or her Medlter
rahean interests 10 france alone. IN
|
prospect or any Ultimately successtu
$ issue would mus SHRINK mo the BACK
= GROUND
l. but we heeu not even then despair
oh 'u' '"h'ra'E' we "uSt HSht III
rrenc" meet so 20 Spear ON Hind' name
~ We mus "V,sa' r''"Ve 80 e.
&c 'h"t Shc "ou'u ne 'othp'''eu 10 re
houncr ner al'anCe with rhS'ah
anu W'thnra" ner ne%t l" save herse
e rum 'o'a' ueS,ruo''oh just as III l'!o
u "a we hafNheh 10 lhe shores oI me Al
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