Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-08-13

particularly to Germany.
AT the outset of the war, the Sci
entiic American, in reviewing the
probable strategy and tactics, drew
attention to the fact that no less up
on the sea than upon the land was
Germany favored by the Strategfcal
situation. The allied fleets of England
and France possessed. it was true,
superiority, based on total tonnage,
of over three to one over those of
Germany and Austria, and a superb
ority in the first fighting line of
dreadnoughts of two to one. AL
though to France was delegated the
task of destroying the Austrian fleet
in the Adriatic, the English fleet in
the North Sea possessed twice as
many dreadnoughts as that of Ger.
many, or 81 to 16; of destroyers she
had 1877 to 1870; and of submarines
76 to Fl 1.-THE latter total being that
estimated on the latest information
at the time obtainable by our Navy
Department.. Under these condi-
lions we stated that it would be
hopeless for Germany to accept bat
tie in the open, since ship for ship
the English dreadnoughts were
more powerfully armed and in sea-
manship and gunnery they were at
least the equal of their opponents.
For the reason that the forecast has
proved to be so remarkably correct,
we quote in full from our issue of
September 5th, 1914:
Hence the Germans have either
retired behind the heavy coast forti-
cations of the North Sea ports and
harbors, or, as is more likely, they
have taken shelter in the Baltic Sea.
The British admiral has orders to
seek and destroy the German fleet
But how shall this be done? Will
helmshaven and the mouth of the
Elbe are thoroughly protected by
coast Notifications and mines. These
consist of heavy, long-range guns
and mortars, whose shell would fall
with great accuracy over the course
which would have to be covered by
fleet which steamed in to range
at which its fire would be effective
The Japanese attack on the inferior
Port Arthur defenses proves the flu.
tiIity of a naval attack upon such
Notifications as those at Wilhelms.
haven, Helgoland, and Cuxhaven.
Equally disastrous would it be
for. the English fleet to venture
through the narrow entrances to the
Baltic; for these are sure to be heav-
ly mined, and in their confined wa
terS the fleet would lose heavily
through mines, destroyers, and sub
marines.
Another, and most important
strategical advantage in the German
situation is the Kaiser Wilhelm Ca.
nal, which affords quick passage for
the largest battleships from the Bal
tic to the North Sea. This canal
practically cuts the British fighting
line in half. 1t was built for this
very purpose. For, if the British
should force their way into the Bal.
tic, the Germans would pass to the
North Sea through the canal and
the Elbe, steam into the English
Channel. sink the transports that
are carrying men and supplies to the
English army in France and Belgi.
UNI, and harry the whole English
and French coasts.
Hence. in seeking to bring the
the German fleet to action. it would
be necessary for England to leave
half of her fleet at the mouth of the
EIbe, and send the other half around
Denmark into the Baltic. This would
mean, that so far as her dread
nought strength is concerned, Ger
many could elect to fight either flee
under equal conditions"
For several years before the open
ing of the war, Germany, recogniz
ing the overwhelming strength Of
the British battle line, had paid par
ticular attention to her torpedo ser
vice, which, it was believed, haC
been brought up to state of effici
ency superior to that of the torped,
service in any other navy. In tn,
event of war, it was the plan of tn
German Admiralty to make sur
prise attack, similar to that by tn,
Japanese at Port Arthur, and so t,