New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-08

m HIS IS the question ABOUT the WAT Mn'Nh
one hears more frequently than almost
II any other in America. Frequently 1t
implies a criticism, and certainly till the last
few months it implied large measure OF dlSap-
pointment even among the warmest friends OF
England in the United States. The Germans
have not missed the opportunity of encouraging
the idea among Americans that in some mys-
FERROUS way Great Britain has 'lost prestige"
They have been aided by the traditional British
reticence, a reticence which nevertheless has its
advantages: for when results are achieved in
silence they are. in the end. doubly effective.
effective in themselves and deadly TO the
takers.
The silence Of chose distant storm-beaten
ships" Of the British navy covers multitude
of results-defnite, solid. epoch-making results
which are only dimly realized even to-day by
the world at large. Strangely enough, it is be-
cause the work of the British feet has been so
complete and so all-effcient, because it has been
able TO do all that was required of II without
exerting its full strength in battle that these
solid results have been overlooked by the multi
tude in neutral countries The results Of
blockade which extends from far north OF the
British Isles TO far below the equator are mani
Testing themselves now daily. Not one ship Oh
all the great lines of the enemy is able TO show
its nose at sea; while on every sea of the world
the British ships are TO be found, blockading,
guarding. carrying; and there are no two ships
that pass, by day or by night, but with some
signal. some salute acknowledging that silent
and brooding power. There is no better testi-
nony. moreover, to the way in which that
power has been exercised than the sense or
quiet iubilation which runs through every such
instance II is TO be seen on the faces OF the
passengers and crews-whenever such signal
confirms their faith that the invisible @gis OF
Great Britain is over them, and the tragic eX-
ception has more than proved the rule The
tramp steamers running up the Union Jack and
cheering as the Lusitania went by were un-
doubtedy in the eyes of the whole world, on
the side of the angels; and the Lusitania's
medal struck in Germany to commemorate the
foulest act that ever stained the seas, has only
marked the whole campaign Of Germany with
the devils own seal, for all the centuries never
70 be effaced and never to be forgotten.
recent visitor to America who was asked
by the newspaper reporters, after their usual
fashion, what had impressed him most in his
first glimpse Of New York, replied: THE spec
tacle of the German ships imprisoned in New
York Harbor."
Those gigantic liners, Of the Hamburg Amer
lean Line and the North German Lloyd, &C
companied by a host Of lesser brethren, are no.
so impressive outwardly as the great waterway
of New York Harbor the majestic skyline
of the city; but in their huddled and crowded
ranks. as they lie there, they are far more
significant Of what is happening in the world,
and they tell of an unseen and vaster power,
perhaps the greatest power in the world, that
has driven them into this distant sanctuary.
They look as if they had been driven in by
tremendous gale, never to emerge again, the
gale of the sea power Of England.