Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-08-10

hal an asset for European Power Ia
torego. Despite the relative weakness OF
the German fleet it was believed that II
would meet the British foe at open sea II
was found that the Germans were giver
credit for assuming the aggressive in TINS
engagement. although their strength as
measured by the dreadnaught unit was pul
one keel to two OF the British fleet.
The natural assumption of the layman
that the German fleet would remain bot
lied up at kicl and Wilhelmshavcn under
protection Of the shore batteries was moi
credited by naval experts. Such a state OF
affairs would be no more satisfactory "a
Great Britain than il would be to Germany
Each country has an enormous merchant
marine for which il must strive 10 main
tain freedom Of the seas. Even II the Ger
man fleet could ~ kept on the defensive
and confined TO its home ports by the
superior British fleet this would give only
temporary assurance TO Great Britain that
her merchant marine would not be mo-
tested. That would be unsatisfactory. AT
any moment the German fleet might at
tempt to break the British control,
Moreover. the Germans themselves have
a merchant marine to Consider Last OF
all, found a general conviction IN favor OF
the Germans that II Just an't their
nature" to stay cooped up in port viii c
Great Britain rules the seas.
II these naval experts were correct In
their prophecies and the German fleet
should meet the combined British fleet In
the North Sea the world would witness for
the first time the value of that desperate
struggle for preparedness which these two
greatest Of the Powers had maintained
for the last decade.
Germany 10 Begin Attack.
II was believed that the British fleet.
which disappeared so mysteriousy after
steaming from Portsmouth few days
before under sealed orders, was off Dog
ger Bank in strategic position to strike
at the German foe or TO return quickly ia
the protection OF home ports. At the out.
set the British fleet comprised thrty-two
battle ships of the dreadnought type Ger
many had only sixteen Yet it was expect
ed that the smaller fleet would begin the
attack.
The British fleet would probably an
proach Wihelmshaven. but II would be dir
ficult for 1t to make torpedo attack
against the German dreadnoughts within
the harbor. The Germans, therefore. We're
expected to begin actual operations with a
night torpedo attack against the British
fleet This would be followed BY a day tor
pedo attack. and then the long distance
duel of the dreadnoughts would begin.
In this engagement the world would have
the sight of the two greatest fighting units
which the resources of great Powers and
the genius of man can create testing their
strength In battle that must bring VIC
tory for one and defeat for the other.
Only the strategy would be modelled upon
experience All else would be the test Of
theories The value OF the dreadnought
unit In fleet, the relative value of tor.
pedo attack upon these mammoth fight
Ing machines, the value of armor. of
armor piercing and explosive shells, would
all be tested for the first time In such an
engagement.
British Fleet Exceis.
In all classes of vessels the British fleet
sxces SO many factors enter into the
strength of war ships of all types that 1t
s apt to be misleading TO classify the
vessels of opposing fleets as battle ships,
cruisers, torpedo boats and destroyers'
However, under any classification, Great
Britain has the overwhelming advantage
In numbers.
Germany is considered to have an ex-