Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-11-30

kiel, Germany, via Berlin, The
Hague and London, Nov. "a pair
of gray submarines lie alongside the
dock where the American Sender
klasses yachts were moored during
their last visit to Kiel. The warships
anchored are in war paint and have
their torpedo nets rugged. A Red
Cross flag flies from the Imperial
Yacht Club. The skylights in the ship
yard buildings have been blackened
to prevent lights from within being
seen by hostile aviators, and for a
similar reason piacards in hotel rooms
keses the~seauest that the ahutters to
the windows be closed before any
light is displayed. As a further pre-
caution against attacks by air craft,
machine guns have been posted in
conspicuous positions on the roofs of
the higher buildings and occasionally
sentinels may be seen on the tops OF
high structures. A broad expanSe OF
Notifications and barbed wire entan-
clements is traversed here and there
when one is driving on the OUTSKIRTS.
These precautions have been taken
against any possible attack on the all
important Kiel canal by air or by
land. otherwise the Kiel of these days
of warfare appears little different from
the Kiel of ordinary times.
Welcome Correspondent
The sailormen on this great naval
base did not maintain an attitude OF
undue secrecy or mystery toward The
Associated Press correspondent who
was visiting Kiel for the first time
since the outbreak of the war. He was
taken everywhere cheerfully. He was
shown through every department OF
the government torpedo factory, INTO
which. in ordinary times, those not
connected with the service. are never
allowed to enter. He was taken INTO
the newest submarine, aboard the Big
eest ba ttleship to watch battle prac-
tice with heavy artillery and torpe-
does and through the docks where tor
pedo boats and submarines are being
re-fitted or are undergoing thier Gus
tomary cleaning. All reasonable ques-
lions were answered readily.
German Vie wof War
The visit convinced the correspond
ent of the truth of an early impress
sion-that war for the German navy
differs from peace only in the exist
ence of an actual instead of pros
pective enemy.
The nayv's normal state of prepar-
edness was so high. for example that
virtually nothing remained to be done
to the battleships and cruisers after
the outbreak of war. The battle prac-
tice is carried out with little more
snap and enthusiasm than in ordinary
times
Naval Men Impatient
Some of the officers and men who
were questioned said they had seen
the tops of Russian masts, but they
had seen nothing of war except the
OUTPOST patrol in the Baltic sea with
waters covering the bows and stand
ing rigging of their ships. These I'M
mistakeably are chafing for a chance
to meet the British navy and find 1T
hard work to remain patient, but take
into consideration the strategic
grounds which govern the policy of
the German fleet. They express little
bitterness toward the British, but
rather a desire to match strength with
a worthy opponent whom they always
have admired. A large number of sub
marines are approaching completion
t;on. Several have been put into COM
mission since the outbreak OF the war
All of these are of the largest sea
going type.
The Germans claim that already
they have more of the big cruising
type of submarines than have the
British. Evidence also is to be seen
that Germany's mosquito fleet of tor
pedo destroyers has been considerably
strengthened since the outbreak OF
the war in boats having a speed or
SO knots. They have been consid-
cradle number Of additions to the CAP
ital ships also.
lnspects Submarines
An interesting feature of the cor
respondents visit was the inspection
of two submarines. One of these,
Lieut.. Weddingens famous Us, was
Of the old type. The other was Of the