Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-01
GERMANY ATTEMPTING TO
WEAKEN HER OPPONENT
use OF Submarines and Mines Against
chief Enemy Is Present Naval
Policy.
TO GIVE CHANCE OF SUCCESS
Captain Persius, Formerly Officer in
kaiser's Sea Forces, Prepares Re-
Wow of Activities-Spirit OF Dar-
ing Offensive Displayed.

BERLIN. July 31.--Although the
main German and British fleets have
not been matched in battle, the ending
OF tho first year OF the war finds that
Germany has distinguished herself at
+ sea. says Captain !. Pcrsius in n naval
review prepared for the Associated
Press. Captain Pcrsius. formerly an
officer of the German navy. Is recog-
nized authority on German naval af-
fairs. and is naval expert of the Ber-
liner Tagcblatt. lie states that Ger
many's policy has been to attempt TO
weaken her chief opponent at sea by
using submarines and mines to a point
where there will be some prospect OF
success OF an attack on the main Brit
lsh fleet. His review follows:
The German feet may boast that
the offensive spirit II has displayed has
constituted the most prominent, and de-
cisivc feature OF all the naval war
theaters war was declared against
Russia on August /. and on August 2
the cruiser Augsburg bombardcd the
Russian war port of I.ibau. The
declaration of war against France was
Issued August 3. and on the following
day the cruisers Goebcn and Bresldti
shelled the troop cmbarkation points OF
Phillipeville and Bona, on the North
African coast. Finally, England de-
clared war on August l. and on the Sth
the mine layer Kocniein Luise planted
mines at the mouth Of the Thames. one
Of which destroyed the cruiser Am
phion.
we thus see that from the very be-
ginning German warships displayed a
spirit OF daring offensive. Not only in
European waters. but in distant seas.
we heard OF victorious cor!bats wherein
our cruisers were engaged In ma
jority OF cases the foreign cruisers.
Ike the home units, fought against
much superior forces.
GIGANTIC TASK OF NAVY
NOT UNDERESTINIATED
In Germany the gigantic task of
our sea forces IS in no wise under
estimated. We know that the British
Heet alone. so far as material strength
~ concerned, is consdera bly, more than
! twice our superior. but we are certain
that the same heroic spirit of dctermi :
nntion 10 win exists III the feet as in
the army. and that we can depend upon
the efficiency % our material which
even though inferior in quantity. can
brave comparison with that Of any
ton OF artillery and machinery.
we do not forget that the British
feet first in the world and OF glorious
history. is an opponent worthy of all
respect. Nevertheless. at the close of
the first year OF the war, 1t may be
.'ad without eNaggcrat!on that its
achievements do not measure up 10 our
expectations It has lacked IT seems,
the iron observation-disclosures ability 10
conquer
The British admiralty has held
strictly TO the strategy OF caution
The German submarine danger is, we
realize. partly responsible, but II can
not be questioned that. as a conse-
quencc OF undcniably evident lack Of
initiative. the prestige OF the British
sea power no longer stands so un-
shaken throughout the world as
formerly. British forces have been
Victorious only in engagements where
they were overwhelmingly superior. as
At the Falkland Islands and even this
is not claimed by the British press to
he an unconditional success. because
The battle was too costly in time and
sacrifice.
our naval authorities followed gen
rally the principle OF keeping battle
ships in harDor while attempting 10
: weaken the enemy through.minor war
fare, particularly with submarines and
mines TO n point where an attack on
the main fleet will offer some prospcct
of success. How correct this strategy
was is proved by the past twelve
months. Thanks 10 the effectiveness