New-York tribune., 1916-07-23


fed examination service was instituted
On the 3lst the immediate reserve wal
modified and various reserve cruiser
sauadrons came into being.
Navy Made Ready.
On August /. shortly before mid.
night, a general mobilization of the
navy was ordered and the third fleet
began TO come to a war basis. This
step was approved by the Cabinet on
Sunday, the I'd, and made regular by
royal proclamation next day. All re-
servists had, however, responded 10 the
Admiralty summons, and on August B.
when the ultimatum was sent requiring
/ Germany to evacuste Belgium, the
whole process by which the naval
power Of Great Britain is placed in
readiness for war was completed in all
/ respects.
At great war council held on the
afternoon of August 4, attended by the
| principal naval and military person
( ages as well as Cabinet ministers di-
rectly concerned with the Admiralty, il
was agreed to dispatch Immediately
| the whole regular army-not four. but
six divisions, If necessary--to the Con-
tnent and TO undertake their trans
| portation and the security of the island
/ in their absence. This considerable un-
dertaking was made good by the royal
navy.
Once more now. in the march Of the
centuries, Old England was to stand
forth in battle against the mightiest
thrones and Nominations. Once more,
in defence OF the liberties Of Europe
and the common right, must she enter
upon a voyage of great toll and hazard,
across water unchsrted, toward coasts
unknown, guided only by stars. Once
more "the far-off line of storm beaten
ships" was to stand between a Cont
mental tyrant and the domination OF
the world.
It was IL o'clock at night-12 by
German time-when Berlin's answer
70 the British ultimatum was expected.
The windows of the Admiralty were
thrown wide open in the warm night
air. Under the roof from which Nelson
had received his orders were gathered
a small group of admirsls and captains
and a cluster Of clerks, pencil in hand,
waiting.
Along the Mall, from the direction of
Buckingham Palace, the sound OF an
immense concourse singing God Save
the King" foated in, and on this deep
wave broke the chimes Of Big Ben. As
the first stroke of the hour doomed out
a rustic of movement swept across the
room. The war telegram which means
Commence hostlities" WAS flashed TO
ships and establishments under the
white ensign all over the world.
Aye, commence hostilities at once
against Germany; urge them; perse-
we're in them concentrate upon them;
repent not of them; pursue them to
the very end.
Certainly Great Britain's entry into
the war was workmanlike. Confronted
by the greatest military power in the
world and by a navy second only to
her own. she acted with instant deci-
sion. Her great feet disappeared into
the mists at one end of the island, her
small army hurried out of the country
at the other.
Army Plays Big Part.
By these extraordinary strokes she
might wei. have appeared to the unin-
structed eve to divest herself OF her
defences, 10 lay herself open TO the
greatest perils. Long stretches of her
eastern coasts, guarded only by unos-
tentatious hotillas and comparatively
unframed territorials, seemed almost
to invite attack. Yet both these acts
had been carefully conceived IN time
Of peace, and both were in harmony
with the highest strategic truth.
The contemplate little army
reached the Western battlefield in time
to play what we'll might be judged de-
cisive part in the first and most critical
of all trials Of strength. The Grand
Fleet"--for this name. so honored by
our ancestors, was to be revived on the
outbreak of war-from its northern
throne has ruled the seas ever since
with q completeness of control which
even Trafalgar had not secured.
1t may we'll be that history furnishes
no more remarkable example OF deter
mined adhesion by civil government to
sound principles Of war as embodied IN
carefully considered plans without re-
gard to obvious risks and objections.
Had all our action been on this level,
how many months OF danger, how many
lives and what treasure might not have
been saved!
British Command of Sea.
From the first hour of war it was evil
dent that command of the sea and all
that followed from it rested with Brit
ain. Everywhere German merchant
vessels scurried TO port. Everywhere
their cruisers hid themselves. Every
where their commerce raiders were
blocked in neutral or enemy harbors.
But at any moment Englsnd's naval
strength might be challenged-and If
at any moment, then surely the earliest
moment was most probable and even
pending battle the seas were full OF
dangers about which no experience ex-
listed as a guide or measure. At any
moment-and IL at any moment, then
surely while il might delay the depart
ure Of an expeditionary force-a raid
or descent might be attempted upon
our coasts. Nevertheless, the army
must go to France. and st once. Sub
marines? Still it must go. The
French African army also must cross
seas not yet cleared. Never mind
the bulk would get there.
And then. from all over the world,
the Great Amphibian must draw her
children, her resources and her food.
Ten thousand keels were carrying on
trade and transportation, sailing bold.
ly over every sea, hundreds homeward
bound and hundreds outward bound
each day, on / per cent war insurance.
The Menace to Britain.
The Australian and Canadian ar
mics, the Indian divisions for France
the territorial divisions for India, reg
ular divisions, spread garrisons about
the world and a dozen minor enter
prises claimed transport and armed
convoy. For the enemy's cruisers were
still at large and hidden.
Reinforcements and supplies for the
army in France flowed in in an ever
widening stream, in spite Of the enemy
submarine, growing more daring and
more skiltul every day. Then. as the