The Hawaiian gazette., 1915-01-05
CALL GERMAN RAID
hsTRAIEGIC MOVE
American Naval Experts Think
Its Chief Purpose Is To
Cause Scare


was an absorbing topic here today II
olaeial and congressional circles. Tn,
first feeling was one Of surprise thai
the Gordon Of british ships, which wai
raid TO form ring Of assured defene,
around the British isles, had been sud
denly penetrated.
II was pointed ont that this NIGH
put 10 serioas test the late Real
Admiral Mahan's noted theory Of Sc;
power according to which strcns
naval force could hold ut bay the nc.
tncks Of invaders Scarborough, mill
tary' observers say, might logically be
the objective Of landing force be.
cause Of its position on the two rail.
ways leading TO Edinburgh and Hull
in anticipation Of such an event Scar
borough, like many other English coast
towns, has been protected by barbed
wire entanglements along all the roads
leading from the coast inland. The
famous Foreshore roadway, whieh
formed the promenade Of the SIMMER
resort along the waters edge, has been
protected by sandEag Entertainments.
shallow Harbor NO obstacle
It has been pointed out that the
shallow harbor there, which makes the
entrance of large ships impossible at
low tide, wenld be no obstacle against
small draft barges or transports, such
as II is believed the Germans might
use. 40
From information in possession of the
navy department II also would seem
that Scarborough is not fortified or de
Tended. The port Of Hartlepool, how
ever, Is among the list of defended
harbors, and consequently Is subject to
attack by q hostile force without notice
Of bombardment and without violation
Of The Hague convention
in the best posted naval circles hers
today's bomhardment Is Ngarded ", .
strategic maneuver, which may have
far,reaching consequences. The first
purpose, as explained by one Of the
: foremost naval strategists, is to earse
a Hscarer which will lead TO hurried
concentration and change of movement
OF the main British battle feet and ex-
pose those ships, 10 attack from unex
reeted quarters.
What Latest Data Shows
An examination of the latest naval
data shows, this expert says, that the
bombarded ports are without doclSyards
or .defences, and are therefore of no
military value for purposes Of capture
OF occupation. For that reason he holds
that the chief purpose Of the lombard
nlent was stfategic--frst, to produce y
condition Of excitement and panic
among the English people, and second,
to serve as a bait by which the four
German cruisers making the attack will
draw a large force Of British ships
AWAY from their established lines Of
defence. The -four German ernisers
could not in themselves, this expert
holds, be a serious menace TO the Brit
ish coast. f
Discussion Of the raid among dipio-
matists friendly to the Allies led To-
the expression Of opinions that the
first direct attack on British soil woul
in all probability develop advantages
20 ~England, by bringing the English
people face 10 face with actual war,
ana would perhaps stimulate recruit
mo. Those in touch with the develop
lnent of the marine situation, so far in
tho war believe that the raid was
rather piece Of naval strategy than
an attempt to land. troops on British
soil. g.as 1
Naval officers here point out that
che line of Investment by the British
feet could not be made absolutely
tight because OF. the stormy weather.
at this season, with dense, fogs, The
British ships also have been obliged toI
lie many. mile of the German coast
10 escape the fire Of shore batteries,
and particularly to avoid the mine
fields which lie thiekly sown within
soundings. They have considered II a
hazardous hut perfectly possible un.
dertaking for a daring commander to
run his vessels through the line by
night, 10 might be possible, though
more difficult, for him to bring his
ships back to port, t
Feint. Saws Mr.. Hobson %. NJ Be- :
p.n.a.a..a.;,.. pi.L,,o,,a yp.a..a,,
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800 - a. ~. SHe - ~ tha
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.,p.sSaa.t ~ - En',a a. AZ
rst,,re of Ss;nt 4 ~ -. -
fst Nv, iass ~ at,a.L a., nauno,, na.,I
further j would appear e e be IN the 3