West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1914-08-06

American Naval Authority, Rear Ad.
mirai w. T. Mahan. U. S. NJ, Re.
tired. Describes Conditions as nc
Views Them-Believes Britain and
Italy Should Join With Russia and
Franee--kaiser Fears Russia.
New York, Aug. 4.-Rear Admiral
w. t. Mahan, U. s. NJ. retired, the
foremost American naval authority. an
an interview today asserts that Eng
land and Italy should at once take M
arms against Germany and Austria
as matter of self protection.
The admiral analyses the causes OF
the war and predicts that II the am
bitions of the Germans to obtain 0
dominating position in Europe is not
restrained, the other great powers
viii suffer in the future.
'ln my opinion" he says. "a righ,
appreciation OF the situation should
determine Great Britain TO declare war
at once. Otherwise her entente agre,
ment, whatever the letter, will be IN
spirit violated and che will earn the
distrust OF all probable future allies.
ITALY likewise owes Il TO herself &c
declare war against her recent allies
and with Greece reinforced by the two
American battleships just purchased
she can doubtless maintain the bal
ance or maritime power in the Med
iterranean and prevent the Turks from
giving their expected support to Ger
many, keep quiet the Bulgarlans, II
these are so advised as TO purpose a
diversion In favor OF Austria, and, in
brief. consolidate the opposition In the
Balkans to Austria.Iungary. whose
ambitions are notoriously inconsist.
ent with those OF Italy"
Admiral Mahan thinks that Germany
began war for two reasons, setting
aside desire to support Austria. be
cause Russia's power was growing
rapidly since the Japanese war and
she would surely have become a men
ace to Germany before long and be
cause French armament is deficient
and the fact was recently admitted
THE moment was auspicious for
striking down France and Russia be.
fore they regained strength" he says
The motives are TO be found in Aus.
tria's apprehension OF the growing
Slav power in the south and that OF
Germany concerning Russia In the
east"
He believes that Germany's plan Is
to overwhelm France at once by con.
centration, preparation and impetuous
momentum.
"If she fails in this she Is less able
to sustain prolonged aggression. The
British fleet, which is superior TO that
OF Germany has the power to prevent
all commerce under the German flag
and, by blockade. to close against neu-
trails all German rivers except those
emptying into the Baltic.
"If the first German rush proves in
decisive or prolonged, the financial
pressure which It is In the power of
England to exert, may determine the
issue.
"If Germany beats both France and
Russia she Will gain respite which
will enable her to build a sea force
equal or superior to that OF Great
Britain, and in that case the world
will be confronted by a naval power
of nation eager for expansion and
influence and menace TO other ma
tions because OF that fact"
He believes that the North sea will
be the theater OF the naval battles
and that Germany must strike at once
with her warships In order TO have a
chance for success and TO preserve
her carrying ships.
Admiral Mahan says this greatest
war will determine the science OF ma
val operations and show whether the
battleship is doomed in favor OF the
submarine. though he thinks the lat
ter cannot be effective in daylight
against modern guns.
"The mooted question OF the big
guns will also be tested" he says.
For my part I have always believed
that the volume Of fire was the deter
mining factor. The number OF shots
and not single shots is the most Inn
portant element"