The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1914-12-17
UNFORTIFIED ENGLISH COAST
T0W0NS ARE SHELLED
CONTINUED PROM r4oE oNE)

experts recall that In maneuvers
British ships have performed the same
feat through the comparatively email
space between England and the
Scilly islands. which as not mined.
The admiralty report announces
that such demonstrations are not diff
ficult. but the population generally
cherishes so great q confidence in the
protection OF the British navy that the
Inhabitants Of the coast towns made
no serious preparation to meet bonn
bardment.
Except for the working people, the
| English are late risers during the
short winter days. The bombardment
occurred between 8 and 8 O'clock, an
hour when many persons were at
breakfast, while others were on their
way tc work or were opening their
| shops
The booming of heavy guns off the
three towns drew hundreds to the
beaches. They had no thought of.
German raid, blt when she'll. came
crashing over their heads and into
the quiet streets. they dashed for shell
ter. Oh shore the German guns did
rapid work, the flashes coming in,
| d
mark among the buildings. Many resi-
dents took refuge in cellars; others
rushed from their houses, among them
women and children in their night
clothing, and not few sought the
railway stations, leaving on the first
trains.
The Hartelpool land batteries return
ed the German fire and are reported
to have, damaged some of the crtiis-
efs. Several shells from the wafships
burst among the royal engineers AID
Durham light infantry and 1t was
among these troops that the casual
Ties Of seven killed and IA wounded
occurred.
The general belief in London is 1that!
the German attack will give impetus
to recruiting. Today was one OF carer.
waiting after the admiralty bulletin
was issued shortly before noon, say
ing: -
"Our flotillas have at various points
been engaged, The situation Is devel-
oping."
Various rumors were heard. One was
tnat Two German cruisers had been
sunk. Many thought the long expect
ed general naval engagmnt between
the British and German fleets was
progressing and that the Smelling of
the coast towns was merely inciden-
tai.
The admirality's report issued at
$3.50 o'clock toight giving the news
that the German ships had eluded
pursuit and were returning safely to
their home waters caused keen disap-
lpointments,,
Naval writer's express the opinion
| that ak or eight ships were engaged.
The Germans have available for such
an attack the armored cruisers Biuch-
err, Room, Prinz Adalbert, Prinz Helm.
rich and Prinz Frederick Karl and
more than 20 cruisers of smaller
class. .eI
Bombardment OF English east coast
cities by German 0ruisefs is the .yz-,a
first overt act against British terri
tory. The British had felt their fleet
was sufficient to render that posSibil-
ity remote.
The bombardment would Indicate
the Germans have considerable liberty
OF action.
Immediately upon the outbreak OF
4 hostilities the British feet or at least
considerable portion OF 1t, suppos-
! edly took up positions on the eastern
SIDE OF the North Sea by which the
German warships held In check or
| close to their naval base at Wiihelms-
hAfen, the mouth of the Elbe, and else
where On the Western German coast
This patrol has been maintained since
early In August. 1t has from time to
time been penetrated by German sub
marines, but so far. as has been known
/ the instances when German cruisers
or battleships have broken the British
lsne and emerged into the north Sea
have been few. 'ss
dispatches from Germany for a
month past have Indicated the Ger
mans were preparing at their sea
i bases for naval activity, Few details
! OF what lWas going on have tieyel oped.
Noyerthe eless the messages led to the
belief that the Gerrnas. ships might
soon attempt some nanenyer.
/ The Kiel Canal running from the
i North Sea TO the Baltic. makes is pog-
sible for Germtsiy 50, concentrate her
1 entire fleet I'm eitner one water or the
other. BY bring ging through the canal
4 euch vessels as she may have used
i since the beginning of the war III the
Baltic. Germany could lin
i me North Sea virtually fler entire ma
val strength. exception being made, goi
i course, of. her fast cruisers which have
operated il the Pacific ana In tie
i southern Atlantic. These vessels do
not exceed nine or ten, and and sn,iiil-
4 Der of them already have snccumbed
tot the yitilance Sf German IS eneii1-
lfesg s.: i s. Sssss ~ IA 4 IA
The Rritieh naval f'tre7 7gth In the
/ Nor Sea is ana Ems, braen an, url-
known Quantity. Thef. Z Isl reason to
i bsfieg hayFe1er K, thai ,tt5 Ii f6fniaabfa.
Great Britain has eois, y Sys8fsitibs 4 Il,
4 ths Msditefa neen ahd during the past