New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-02
Cermany's Year at Sea.


In surveying the fortunes of German
arms in the past year it was manitestly
impossible for the most sanguine patriot
10 make it appear by any means that the
exploits and actual achievements at sea
were as gratifying and reassuring to the
German nation as those on land. Captain
Persius. one of the soberest and most
trustworthy of the German naval
chroniclers, has presented the present state
of affairs in as favorable light as 1t Will
bear. but when we compare his review OF
the wears events with the extravaganza pre-
dictions that were current in the early
months Of war it is plain that the Ger
man populace, misled by indiscreet en-
thusiasts and with little knowledge OF
naval warfare. must to-day be suffering
under sore establishments
There are perhaps not many German
critics so genuinely simple as our own
Herr Ridder, yet the widest Of his com
ments and prophecies were matched by
Germans who probably knew better, such
as the ridiculous Reventlow. With all his
desire to make the best of discouraging
case. Captain Persius is unable to justify
the promises of these foolish prophets. A
naval man himself, he is clearly aware OF
tie relative failure Of Germany's naval
policy so far He points out that the enor-
nous superiority Of the fleets opposing
Germany determined the principle OF
leeping battleships in harbor while at
tempting to weaken the enemy through
minor warfare, particularly with sub
marines and mines to a point where the
attack on tie main feet will offer some
prospect of success" 1t is amusing TO see
him pass over the consequences with the
observation that in the first twelve months
ut has been possible sorely to wound the
British fleet This is indeed the very
utmost that can be said, for Captain
Persius is of course aware that the British
feet. with all allowance for losses, is at
least as powerful as it was when the war
began and that the odds against the Ger
man feet are now greater than ever.
Nine months ago the ingenious Herr
strength of a few submarine successes to
anticipate that the fleets would meet on
equal terms before the end of the year
1915" How very unlikely such an event
appears to-day,
AS to the submarine warfare on COM
merce Captain Persius speaks with ex-
emplarv reserve. He cannot fail to see
that in comparison with the complete eX-
tinction of German maritime commerce
the amount Of damage done by the u
boats is trjAing, so he contents himself
with speculations on the psychological
effect. and he consoles his readers with
the reflection that the submarine danger
Enthusiastically weighs like a nightmare
upon the inhabitants Of the sea-washed
land" and that though "views may differ
as TO the final outcome in this field yet
"the expectation is generally cherished In
Germany that the submarine campaign
will help to accelerate the demand for
peace in England" A singularly modest
ambition as compared with the brave
boast that commerce with the United
Kingdom would soon be brought to a
standstil by the German blockade.
Captain Persius, moreover, is not In
clined to make too much of the occasions
which were hailed by less prudent patriots
as glorious triumphs. He is discreetly
silent on the subject Of the commandments
of the English coast and he does not try
to show as Herr Ridder did, that Admiral
Won Specs victory off Chill was won
against odds, or that the sinking of two
of Cradock's cruisers was, as 1.-The
Evening Post" Historically maintained,
"a smashing blow to British naval pres
tige." He attributes it simply to superb
ority of armament on the German side
and points out that in the few naval
fights that have occurred in the present
war the issue has always depended on
gunfre. In conclusion he is obliged to
stick in the main to generalities, to con-
trast the Offensive spirit" of the Germans
with the caution of the British, and to
dwell particularly on the overwhelming
material advantage of the enemy. He
makes out the best case possible for Ger
man hopes. yet when all is said there is
little in his summary to encourage the
enthusiastic expectations of year ago.