Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-06-04
j, s, INTERESTED
FIGHT SPECTATOR
Is Eagerly Awaiting De
tails of Great Naval
Battle Now.
HAS GREAT BEARING
Outcome Of Engagement
May Determine Useful
ness of Inventions.

WASHINGTON. June 3.-Naval Of
ficcrs and members of the congress
sional naval committees were eagerly
awaiting Friday night details of the
naval battle between the German and
British fleets. The meager reports
available established beyond ques-
ton that it was the most important
naval engagement of the war, III
point Of ships engaged and casualties,
whatever its effect otherwise might
be.
Lacking knowledge of the object
sought by the German fleet officers
here would not hazard statements as
to where victory rested. While tnt
British suffered the loss of more ships,
according to the official statements
of both sides, if they parried an at
tempted raid and drove a consider
able fleet back to base without its
having come in sight Of the English
coast, they could claim success, n
was thought ON the other hand, Ii
the movement of the German fleet
described merely as an enterprise by
the German official statement wa
only IN exercise cruise or an attempt
to lure the enemy into a trap. appar-
entity the victory was theirs.
Took Opportunity.
Some officers thought it possible
that scouting aircraft had located the
battle cruiser squadron off the Danish
coast and the German commander
saw an opportunity to swoop down
on the British force with hattleships
to outmatch the British cruisers be-
fore a supporting force of British
ships could come to their aid
When the four fast battleships sent
to support the lighter craft reached
the scene, according t. this view, the
Germans decided to draw off to Will
hclmshaven and running night
fight down the Danish coast ensued
Neither official statement states
definitely which flee was compelled
to draw off The British statement
saws the Germans avoided prolonged
action with the main British forces
presumably meaning the supporting
battleships Officers pointed out
however. that the German statement
reported that survivors Of one of the
sunken British battle cruisers were
picked up by German ships This
was taken as indicating that the Ger
mans were advancing rather than re-
firing at that time.
British Enticcd.
1t was thought possible the British
battle cruisers had been enticed into
a mine field or into waters where
submarines had been stationed prev
iously Only the details Of the battle
can explain these questions, however
The battle has not materially af
fected the relative strength of thu
fleets according to the view of Amer
lean officers.
Officers noted the accuracy of tn,
German reports of damages inflicted
upon the British fleet. comparing i
with the list of ships admitted ny
the Eritsh to have been sunk. The
British statement. it was said. did not
disclose the same degree of observa
tion or knowledge of the opposinl
forces. although il is possible the Brit
ish admiralty did not choose to give
out its statement with all available
detail in that respect.
Apply the first lessons of the Ell
gagcments OF American naval pre-
parcdness some officers insisted tina
details of the fight would demonstral,
the necessity of adding at least TIVE
dreadnaughts to the naval bill. The,
expected clear indication tina
dreadnaughts are the indispensable
element OF any fleet
Another fact which full reports o
the battle were expected to bring Ou
was the value OF big dirigibles fo