The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-07-26
AS SEEN IN ENGLAND
BY Ed. /. Keen, United Press staff


(First Story.)
LONDON, July 26.-- England's
greatest victory in this year-old war
was won before the war started.
Forty or fifty years from now-the
Germans willing-when the British
desire to honor the heroes OF the
great war, they doubtless will erect
imposing statues of Sir John French,
Sir Douglas Haig, Sir Ian Hamilton,
Sir John Jellicoe, Sir Frederick Stur-
dee and Admiral John de Robeck.
They may even include Lord Kitchen
er. although If popular vote were
taken at the present time, It is hardly
likely the verdict in Kitchener's favor
would be unanimous.
But II the English nation should fail
to recognize in this distribution Of
awards a certain blond, blue-eyed
young statesman of dandified mien
and lisping voice. who by the fortunes
Of politics happened to be the first
lord of the admiralty in the summer
of 1914, it will demonstrate that other
forms of government besides repub-
| lies are ungrateful.
"Brittania rules the waves" today
because of Winston Churchill. To his
foresight, Imagination and nerve Is
due the fact that when the war lord
threw down his gauntlet, the British
fleet was ready England's command
of the seas was assured before Kaiser
Wilhelm began scattering war decla-
rations through the chancelleries of
Europe.
Perhaps Churchill knew. Anyhow.
most of his colleagues in the cabinet
didn't believe him. He acted In spite
Of them. His resignation lay on the
table, to be taken UP if events should
prove that he was wrong.
Early in June the grand fleet had
assembled off the south coast Of Eng
land for it's annual play at war. The
maneuvers followed their usual course
and under all the rules, the feet
should have been scattered week be-
fore July %, the day Austria declared
war against Serbia. The next day
three days before Germany declared
war against Russia, five days before
she declared war against France and
nearly week before England officially
entered the fray-Churchill converted
the prolonged maneuvers into the real
thing. On the night of July 90, there
was flashed through newspaper offices
of London the brief announcement,
"The British fleet has left Portland
under sealed orders" Where it went,
the writer didn't know then, he does
MT know now-and if he did, he
wouldn't dare tell 1t isn't necessary
to know. The results are sufficient.
The main fleet kept together. with
superior force ready to meet the Ger
lmans should they come out without
previously notifying Great Britain Of
their intention, with scouts thrown
out toward the German coast to watch
for them. and patrols to guard the
coast of England.
There may be some doubt about
England's assistance to the allies upon
the land. There can be no question
OF her services upon the water. Her
losses have been heavy, both in ships
and men, but not in commensurate
with the advantages gained for her
allies as we'll as herself by remaining
mistress Of the seas" Besides bot
thing I'D the German grand f1eet-the
one outstanding achievement of the
entire war-England speedily swept
the German mercantile marine from
the oceans, destroyed Won Specs row
ing squadron, put out of business the
German commerce raiders, and pro-
vided safe convoy, not only to her
own troops and their supplies across
the channel, but to millions of dollars
worth of arms and ammunition for
both her allies and herself across the