New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-17

around the British Isles, had been sud
denly penetrated. ;,..
II was pointed out that this might
nut 10 serious test the late Rear Au-
miral Mahan's noted theory OF sea pow,
or. according to which strong naVas
f. could hold at bay the attacks OF
invaders. Scarborough, military op-
serve say, nigh. logically be the %.
iective of a landing force because Oh
its position on the two railways leadihg
to Edinburgh and Hull; Co..
In authorization of such an event Scar
borough. like many other Enghsn coast
towns has been protected by barb d
wire entanglements along all the roads
leading from the coast inland. Inc
famous Foreshore roadway, which
formed the promenade of the summer
resort along the waters edge, has been
protected by sandbag intrenchments'
Shallow Harbor No Obstacle.
It has been pointed out that the shall
low harbor there, which makes the en-
trance of large ships impossible at low
tide. would be no obstacle against
small draft barges or transports, suen
as it is believed the Germans might
use. e
From information in possession OF
the NAVY Department it also would
seem that Scarborough is not fortihed
or defended. The port of Hartiepooi,
however, is among the list OF defended
harbors and, consequently, is subject 10
attack By hostile force without notice
Of bombardment and without violation
of TIL. Hague convention.
In the best posted naval circles here
to-day's bombardment is regarded as
strategic manpuvre, which may nave
far reaching consequences. The hrst
purpose. as explained by one OF the
foremost naval strategists, is to cause
"scare" which will lead TO hurried
concentration and change OF movement
of the main British battle fleet and
expose those ships TO attack from I'M
expected quarters.
An examination Of the latest naval
data shows, this expert says. that tne
bombaIded ports are without dock
yards or defences, and are therefore
of no military value for purposes oil
capture or occupation. For that rea-
son he holds that the chief purpose OF
the bombardment was strateglc-nrsl,
to produce a condition of excitement
and panic among the English people,
and second, to serve as bait by when
the four German cruisers making the
attack will draw a large force OF BRIT
sh ships away from heir estaollshed
lines of defence. The four German
cruisers could not in themselves, this
expert holds, be a serious menace TO
the British coast.
Discussion of the raid among diplo-
matists friendly to The Allies led to the
expression Of opinions that the first d.
rect attack on British soil would in
all probability develop advantages
to England by bringing the English
people face to face with actual war
and would perhaps stimulate recruit
ing. Those in touch with the develop
ment of the marine situation so far
in the war believed that the raid was
rather a piece of naval strategy than
an attempt to land troops on British
soil
Naval officers here point out that
the line of investment by the British
feet could not be made absolutely tight
because Of the stormy weather at tn.
season, with dense fogs. The British
ships also have been obliged to lie
many miles off the German coast to
escape the fire of shore batteries. and
particularly to avoid the mine fields
which lie thickly sown within sound
ings. They have considered it a haz-
ardous but perfectly possible under
taking for a daring commander to run
his vessels through the line by night.
II might be possible. though more diff
ficult. for him to bring his ships back
TO port.
Feint, Says Mr.. Hobson.
Representative Richmond Pearson
Hobson, of Alabama. one of the naval
experts of the House. EXPRESSED the
opinion that the German attack on the
northeast coast Of England was in the
nature of feint.
UNLESS the attack by German naval
forces on the English coast develops
further il would appear TO be in thf
nature of decoy." Mr.. Hobson said
Evidently. in addition to the moral
effect to De gained by the impression
created in the mind Of the British public
by the attack. it has for its purpose the
drawing away Of the British battle
feet from its present position in order
TO lay II open to attacks by subma-
rines."
Data gathered to-day in Official quar-
tiers revealed that the east coast of
England, except for the protection
the fleet gives her, probably is vulner.
able at several points. No estimate
could be given as to the exact strength
Of the east coast defences, nor any az
surance that there were not hidden dc.
fences unknown TO the outside world.
From what knowledge they had, how
ever, officials were inclined to the
opinion that the coast Notifications
-
portance in the English scheme OF
coast line protection to the dread.
noughts. cruisers. destroyers and sub
marines moving about in the waters Of
the North Sea.