The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-23
SECRET IS OUT.
Germans Believe They Know
Hiding Place of British Fleet.
1t Is Thought To Be on West
Coast of England.
[By ]. w. T. Mason.1

[By J. w. T. Mason.1
New York, Dec. 23--The hiding place
of England's battle fleet, which has been
one of the major secrets of the war, ap-
parently. is believed by the Germans to
have been discovered. Admiral Won Tir-
pitt, in his remarkably frank statement
of naval affairs. declared that he supposed
the British dreadnaughts were still in
the vicinity of Ireland. This means the
great feet of England's capital ships. her
sole projections against being starved and
raided into submission, il now 36 hours
away from the center Of the North sea
battle area.
Intimatf0n that such might be the case
was contained In the fact that the Au-
dacious was blown up off the Irish coast.
Won Tirpitz now confirms this impress
sion. 1t has been a generally accepted
none of Englands first line ships had
been assigned to patrol and blockade duty
in the North sea. The hazard would have
been too great. If dreadnaughts instead
of second line cruisers had been blown
UP by German submarines and mines in
the North sea. British and German naval
strength might now be on an equality.
This possibility, foreseen by the British
admiralty, has prevented any active use
being made Of the dreadnaughts to the
present time.
Raids Are Invited.
Their potential might also in secret
isolation from the war zone. has been as
effective. however, as If they were actual
~ on guard Only once cOulO tuey nave
been more useful than the subordinate
warships in the North sea. That was dur
ing the raid on the Yorkshire coast when
the Germans to the amazement of Winston
Churchill, used several of their own
Scarborough. Whitby and Hartlepool.
Had British dreadnaughts been on duty
instead of the smaller vessels, the Ger
mans would have had far Simmer
chances of escape.
The Germans knew, apparently. when
they ventured forth. there would be no
encounter with the enemy's first line
ships. They knew it not only because the
vesso ; were not on patrol duty but also
because they were not on the east coast
of England at all. This latter fact is now
given to the world by Admira. Won Tir-
pitz. To take the maximum precaution
against a submarine or torpedo boat or
Zeppelin raid on England's capital ships
which guard her very life. the British
admiralty has had to leave the North sea
coast unguarded by dreadnaughts.
Apparently the dreadnaughts are not to
be brought out of their haven. unless
Germany seriously wishes to challenge
Britain's sea supremacy and sends her
own fleet out to invite battle. Then the
entire naval weight of England will
bors and will around the British Isles to
find the enemy. This policy seemingly
will permit further successful German
raids on England's east coast by German
dreadnaughts.
Nevertheless. there is a risk attached to
the raids which will make them 1nfre-
quent Not only do the possibilities o1
English torpedo boat and submarine at
tacks exist but also Won Tirpitz cannot
be certain that after all two or three
British dreadnaughts may not be moved
to North sea harbors for surprise use
Surprise on their own part must form the
essential characteristics of the German
raid and in this case. infrequency CT
surprise.