The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-06-09
THE GREAT SEA FIGHT.

Never since the history Of the world began to
be written was there a sea fight that at all approx.
mated in magnitude the battle between English and
German ships off the coast Of JutIand, says the
Memphis NeWs-SCimitar, It was a contest that has
long and a~nXlOuSiy been awaited, and the result
Of which is Of so much Importance. The sea
fights between the japanese and Russian fleets were
spectacular enough but they were mere SkirmisheS
as compared to the late great conflict. The battle
occurred on the 3lst Of May, in the evening, and
nothing was heard Of it until the 2nd day Of June.
Even then the British cens0rS would not permit
anything conclusive to be sent out, and the press
agencies were compelled to remain in silence until
such time as the censOrs saw lit to pass what they
had written over the cable The first news Of the
battle came through commercial wires running into
brokers' Offices. but as these sources Of information
are not always accurate and dependable, little atten-
ton was given them. The British admitted that a
battle had occurred, but would give no details. Later
on details were permitted to oOze out in a slow
and unsatisfactory manner, and the whole civilized
world was afIame with eagerness. Then came the
report from German sources, and naturally enough
It was not conservative, The Germans met the
enemy and inflicted severe punishment on him, and
while suffering some loss, returned to a safe haven
under the guns Of their Notifications. In their en-
thuSlasn the Germans OVereStimated the loss which
they inflicted upon the enemy and underestimate
their own losses. In spite Of this the reports from
German sources ring truer and appear TO be more
accurate than those coming from British sources.
Uf course Great Britain has been shocked and hu-
inflated, and viii endeavOr to minimize and conceal
facts. She cannot afford to LET her own people know
the truth, and il is 10 her own interest TO keep ii
from The world at large. She succeeded in conceal
ing the facts about her losses in the Dardanelles for
many months, but Of course the truth ultimately
reached the public, She may be expected to sup
press the truth in this instance, and it may be months
before the world IS given a clear understanding Of
the great battle. From what can be learned the
Germans opened fire on the British ships, which the
British claim to have been Of the light cruiser class
These vessels turned tail and fled TO the west, and
were pursued by the Germans, who inflicted great
loss upon them. When the Germans had gone as
far as they thought prudent, and when they were
about to encounter a vastly superior force OF great
battlesbips, they returned 10 their home forts, and
in turn were pursued by the British. This is about
all that is definitely known at the present time, 1t
has been long expected that tue German fleets
would sooner or later emerge from the kiel canal
and try conclusions with the British. 1t was incon-
ceivabe that the great world conflict that is going
on should reach a conclusion without giving the war
vessels OF Germany an opportunity to test Their
metal, II by making sorueS the Germans can trim
down the English navy TO somewhat the size OF the
German navy we may look for a decisive battle on
the waters, such as the world has never yet seen.
Meantime the naval authorities of the world will
have opportunity Of learning valuable lessons from
the recent naval battle. 1t seems that the super
dreadnaughts have given a good account OF them
selves, and that the destroyers fell victims in large
numbers and were blown about like chaff before the
wind. OF course each side of the contest will make
claims that the other will not allow, but the truth
may be found somewhere between the conflicting
statements.