The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1915-06-03
AEBRAskAN'S MISHAP AND
EtROPE'S NAVAL WARFARE
Continued for Page y

opportunity to examine the DAMAGE
Nebraskau and until our government
has received official reports IN relation
q the affair
II is worthy u especial considera.
ton in this direction that, whereas the
world has long emphasized the prob
ability Of gigantic naval combats ia
the next great world war, this Europ-
can conflict. which Is approaching its
6rst anniversary. has been principally
confined 70 land, IL we except the few
slight battles between flying squad
ronS that have taken place far from
their respective home waters.
England has given especial prom
incnce to the idea that a great navy
would figure conspicuously in con-
tinental war, and she has accordingly
continued for years 10 act on the
theory that she must have fleets
equal to those Of any other two pow
ers on the continent
Indeed, Dutch authorities insist that
Germany's persistence despite all
British attempts at Cancellation, IN
seeking to rob Great Britain Of the
command Of the sea and thus imperil
the safety of her empire was one Of
the hidden but none the less potent
causes Of her willingness to see the
long heralded European war precipi
tated at this time, This idea is in
direct conflict with the German theory
that Great Britain was moved by COM
mercial and economic considerations,
and we are inclined to accept the
Dutch view in the light Of Engand's
repeated efforts to persuade Germany
to agree to stop building more war
vessels.
Whatever others nations may now
do Germany continues 70 pound away
At British naval interests, while ever
and anon sinking or helping to sink
British war vessel. Whether q sub
marine operating north Of Scotland or
Ireland or a German mine planted in
the North Sea, or a German howit2er
located on the GalIipoli peninsula com
manding the Dardanellcs sinks a
British dreadnaughts or other fornid
able war craft, it is all the same in the
long run. The aim Of Germany is to
reduce the British navy until she can
fight on more equal terms on the
water. and then seek 70 regain her
position Of the seas and restore herl
naval prestige.
II is to be noted that whether land
howitzers or submarines or mines or
all three combined do the work Of dc ]
plotting the British navy Germany's !
own great fighting ships are not i'm
periled. They are being held in safety
in and about the kiel canal region,
ready for instant use whenever dash
can safely be made.
In the meantime the British govern
ment by engaging to help deliver Con-
stantinope into the hands Of Russia
has played into the hands Of Germany
by risking her dreadnaughts in
gigantic effort in cooperation with
The French to sweep the Turks under
German command from the Gallipoli
Peninsula. This is not naval battle.
Il is simply the use Of war ship on
,he enc side as movable base for an
artillery duel.
Sooner or later the British naval
will warn the British war
department that it must plant guns
" its own on the peninsula and re-
luce the Turkish strongholds as tile
Japanese advanced on Port Arthur,
md not depend almost entirely on war
hips for heavy gun fire on the Turk
sh positions.
The expedition Of the allies has been
from the very outset, be
inning with the operations of the
Ieets without aid of land forces, and
\ the continued reliance now on the
for heavy gun fire.
All things considered it is not
TRANCE that the British cabinet has
Undergone a revolution, and the only
sonder is that il did not occur before.
n the meantime we are 10 bear In
aind that when England and France
o succeed in delivering constanti-
oplc into the hands Of Russia at the
acrifice OF their own fleets, they will
ulfill the prediction Of Peter the
treat made in 1925: Possession of
,onstantinople will give the Gar of
Russia the mastery Of the world"
Burlington Free Press.
]