The Washington times., 1914-11-28
BRITAIN AND THE SEA.

n OSTUldn naval duIilOIlIy, AO-
-niral Krichhoff, retired, has taken to
ask Admiral Mahan. of the United
States navy, whom he charges with
giving the British naval manage
:nent, seemingly, advice that is rath-
r too good to please the German
view.
Admiral Krichhoff is especially
disaffected because Mahan has point
ID out the supreme importance of
':eeping the British feet together.
Mahan warns that the fleet is not
;trong enough to be divided between
'ervice in both the North Sea and
the Baltic. =
This arouses the ire of the Ger
man naval officer, who demands to
know what has become of the tradi-
tions of British naval prowess, that
it dare not take chances and under
take great risks. He becomes elo-
quent in his insistence that the Brit
.sh navy is strong enough to be di-
vided equally and then have either
half engage in battle with the Ger
man fleet! He even leaves suspicion
that he is fearful that the American
admiral's advice may lead England
not to do that particular thing.
thus:
Mahan's comments on the present sit
uation of the war have the object of
creating anxiety in Germany and rous-
Is England to keener action. but we
must not take them seriously any
longer. For instance, Mahan's remarks
hat England superiority at sea is not
ufficient to be utilized in the North sea
nd in the Baltic at the same time. The
lines adds to these words: In orde:
arrive at a correct judLment Of our
maritime strategy il is important to
ccognize the limits in the use OF the
'avy. We must not expect more of the
ame than il is able to do.''
What inconsistent arguments What
,oor and feeble conception, As if q two
over strength such as EuRland's could
1t be simultaneously active in two ad-
cent theaters OF war! Is that u war
ke spirit? Was that the spirit of great
nglshmen a hundred years ago? The
.vening Post describes the situation
aore correctly in Goethe's words,
Courage lost, all lost"
and "ow do Mahan's arguments JUS
fly the fact that England has not even
IN the nearer one OF the two seas-thn
Iorth sea. or the German ocean, as il
called-made use of the superiority of
or feet but is holding back. soundly
nd anxiously looking to the future.
An expert and penman of Mahan's i'm
utance ought with Title reflection. 10
we written differently His comments
, the reserve Of the English navy seem
orthless. both in technical and p"-
tiCal light; anyhow, the former Eng
sh s-irit, naval offensive. and vlgor-
lS action is altogether lacking at pres
nj. The Times theories that there
limits TO the utilization of feet.
hese words are altogether n sad and
1iful spectacle.
felt it my duty TO the public to pen
reply 10 Admiral Mahans effusions.
doubt he will continue his arguments
the future. II is sincerely his errors
former good name. and he himself
q TO be pitted indeed!
The painful lack Of humor which
1ervades the military caste in Ger
many has been impressed good
many times since the war began.
Admiral Krichhoff is positively
angry at the suggestion that either
half the British feet could destroy
he German navy! He takes prodi-
gious pride, we discover, in the mag
pifcent traditions of British mari
ime valor, and is sure that no man
: a reliable naval authority who
'ould not advise the British admir-
'lty to take few more chances
han, thus far, it seems disposed to
ccept!
The Germans doubtless would like
o see the British divide their feet
nd give the Kaiser's battle line the
cry chance it has wanted. 1t is
oubtless inconsiderate of the British
,dmiralty not to make this conces-
ion to the ideals of pure sport. 1t
must be regarded, indeed, as very
sad form for an American naval au-
hority actually to be so unsports-
nanlike as to advise the Britishers
0 keep their sanity on straight and
maintain their unquestionable super
ority in force at all times. Prob
bly, Admiral Mahan is entitled to be
cad out of good naval society-in
Germany-for presenting this view.
Vawever. the British admiralty