New-York tribune., 1914-11-28
CHURCHILL IS SURE
NAVY WILL DO DUTY
Could Lose Super-Dread-
nOught a Month and
SurpaSS Germany.

LONuOn, nov. w lnsLon spencer
Churchill. First Lord of the Admiralty,
in speech in the House Of Commons
this evening before the adjournment
Of the lower house to February .. told
the country that despite the loss Of
some OF the older ships Of the British
navy there was no cause for nervous
ness, but every reason for complete
confidence in the power of the navy to
give effect TO the wishes and purposes
of the empire.
The First Lord told Of the danger TO
British ships from mines and subma-
rines and OF the possibility Of armored
and fast enemy liners escaping to the
high seas TO prey on the Allies ship
ping. which, he added. had been pre-
vented thus far. lie concluded his
speech with the statement that there
was another danger, that Of an over
sea invasion an enterprise full Of
danger for those who might attempt
IT,"
Mr.. Churchill said that, considering
the worl, the navy had done in the pro
lection Of British commerce. the re-
strictiOns it had placed on the enemy's
supplies and the conveying by it Of
great numbers OF troops 10 and fro
across the world and with ones eyes
fixed on the mischances that had oc-
CURED and knowing all the circum-
stances, he was bound to say, 81 think
we have had share Of the luck
Declares Navy Has Done Well.
On the whole. the First Lord said, he
considered the navy had done well. It
was, he declared, driving German COM
merce from the seas. and prevented
enemies getting war material, which
which they needed more and more as
the war proceeded Even + England
were single-handed there would be no
reason to despair. but with the French
in control in the Mediterranean, and
japan in the Pacific, and the Russian
navy developing. Eve could 90 on in
d fnitely. receiving our supplies from
wherever we need them, transporting
our troops wherever they are required.
end continue the process with our
strength growing stronger every month,
until. at the end of perhaps a not dis
tant date, we achieve the purpose FOR
which we are lighting
British submarines, Ar. Churchill
said. could not score. as the German
ships did not come out 20 fight, but he
added that the British torpedo boat de-
strovers had proved their superiority
ir GUN mower "a fact that was un-
known before she war. I'VE have lost
none: Germany mas lost eight or ten"
the speaker said.
As for building. the FIRST Lord sald.
ENGLAND would add fifteen cap. tai snips
to her feet before the end OF 1919, 20
Cermanv's three. In fact, he declared,
Frglsnd could lose one Super-dread-
nonoht monthly for a year and still
r,aintsin her superiority over Germany
in these ships. His words were; we
can afford to lose a super-dreadnough
every month for twelve months, with
ont a single loss 20 the enemy, and yet
be in as good position of superiority
as we were on the outbreak OF the
war c,-t..u .
timed. were being rapidly added to the
Rritish fleet. and England had commits
eioned at the commencement of the
war more than Germany had destroyed
or interned.
Ioss of Merchantmen Anticipate ed.
Tho loss Of British merchant ships,
thu First Lord said. WAS loss that
bsd been anticipated by the Admiralty.
Nevertheless. England had been able,
bv virtue OF its sea power. TO draw
fyou all over the World for the cause
of the Allies everything that Was
needed. including an abundant supply
of munitions, while deficiencies IN
these commodities were beginning
clearly 10 show in the enemy's military
organization.
Mir Churchill declined TO discuss
sucb topics as the naval engagement
Of Helgoland, the destruction of the
british cruisers Monmouth and Good
Hone off the coast of Chilli and the
british naval expedition to Antwerp
nrior 10 the fall Of the Belgian fort
ress claiming such discussion would
no profitless until he was able 10 To-
veal all the facts. Instead, he went on
to give a few details regarding the
work the British navy was performing.
The Danger from Mines.
While the British Admiralty esti-
mated that there would be a loss OF
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