Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-16
GERMAN NAVY MOVE
IS NOT A SURPRISE
Attack by Warships on British
Coast Ports Expected by
U. S. Strategists.

| The German naval raid ON British
| coast towns excited widespread attef-
ton in naval, military and diplomatic
circles here, and was the absorbing
topic in official and congressional cir
cles. The first feeling was one OF sur
prise that the Gordon of British ships
which was said to form a ring OF as
sured defense around the British Isles
I had been suddenly penetrated ana serl-
ous damage inflicted on the BRUSH
coast ports
II was pointed out that this might
nut 70 a serious test the late Rear
Admiral Mahan's noted theory of sea
mower. according to which a strong
naval force could hold at bay the at
! tacks of invaders
IT was recalled also that the north
COST coast of England. in the imme-
diate vicinity of today's German at.
tack. had been the historic point OF
F,nejand's invasion in the past; .he
Mortimer having entered throusH .ne
Hnn,her and advanced toward York.
where the famous battle OF Stain1 ora
bridge was fought. All historic Danish
and Teutonic movements have also
heen across the North sea against the
c;tins of The north coast of ENGLAND.
although Napoleon's projected INVASION
was to have been from Boulosne ana
Calais against Fo'kest"nc and points
alone the southern coast.
mower has been counted on as the chief
defense.
Regarded as Strategic Maneuver.
In the best posted naval circles here
today's bombardment is regarded as
strategic vancouver which may have
far-reachng consequences. me hrst
purpose. as explaned by one of the
formost naval strategists. is to create
a "scare" which will lead to hurried
concentration and change OF move
ment of the main British battle Meet
and eXpose those ships to attack from
unexpected quarters.
An examine ti"n of the latest naval
data shows, this expert SAYS. that the
bombarded ports are without DOCK
wards or defenses. and are therefore VI
no military value for purposes OF cap
ture or OCCUPATION. For that reason he
holds that the chief purpose of the
bombardment was strateeic-nrst. TO
produce a condition of excitement and
panic among the English people. and
second to serve as balt by Which the
four German cruisers making the at
tack will at once draw large force
of British ships away from their es-
tablished lines of defense me TOUR
German cruisers could not in them
selves. TINS expert IOluS. oS IL SCiAOuS
menace to the British coast.
Views of Diplomatists.
Discussion of the raid among diplo-
matists friendly to the allies led to the
.xnression of opinions that the first
direct attack on British soil would in
all probability develop advantages to
England by bringing the English peo-
rle face to face with actual war, and
uu,ould perhaps stimulate recruiting.
Those in touch with the develop
n,anf of the marine situation. so far
~, the war were of the opinion that
the raid was rather a piece of naval
strategy than an attempt to land troops
on British SOIL.
I'm any CASE an observer of events
said today. the cost of insurance will
.now rapidly rise In London and New
York the effect of this will be to ma
terially retard shipping operations be.
tween America and Europe. 1t is. OF
course, part of Germany's strategy to
do something, such as the sortie re-
Continued on Thirteenth Page)