Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-12-03

CHALLENGE TO THE GERMAN
NAVY Is FLUNG OUT-BRlTISH
NAVY II PATROLLING AN I'M
MENSE AREA.

mlraly, speaking the Oluer udy III Tue
House of Common, flung out chal-
lenge to the German navy He said,
Il disclose no secret, or if it is a
secret I disclose a fact which l should
be glad to tell the enemy-when say
that the British Grand Fleet in its
northern base lies behind no shore de-
fenses, but relies on its own strength
alone"
There are people in the United
States who do not appreciate the ac-
tiyities of the British navy in its home
waters, who think that it lies in idle
ness, Ike the German High Seas Fleet,
behind impenetable landlocked bases.
For the purpose of removing this i'm
preston The Associated Press repre-
sentative was asked to visit the Grand
Fleet, live On board the f1rst-line bat
tleships, and observe just what sort
of days work it puts in day after
day and week after week.
Ceaseless activity is the motto OF
the Grand Fleet. Neither men nor
ships are permitted to gather rust or
barancles. From its base at the north
ern tip of the British Isles, it sweeps
day and night the 100000 square
miles Of the North Sea on ceaseless
vigil, in unfagging hope that one day
its watching will be rewarded by a
meeting with the enemy under cir
eumstances wherein he cannot avoid
battle. Moreover, this sweeping of the
North Sea is no mere aimless patrol.
In the most casual moves of ships and
men there is always a directing mind
and a directing plan. The North
Sea is as well swept in relation TO
its size as the drawing room of a
well-ordered house The enemys
coastline is still the ritish navy's
frontier.
The harbor which has been the
home of the Grand Fleet for three
years is probably the finest of its
KIND in the world. The whole area
comprised in this British northern
base is about equal to the hundred-odd
square. miles which the Germans
evacuated in France last spring. The
Eattleship squadrons, for example,
within their own particular SCI ton of
this great base, have room for every
, nd of practice manoeuveres. includ-
ing targe. practice
On sunny AFTERNOON the CORE
snondent saw eight ba .tleships at tur-
j ct or target practice, d detachment
O. cruisers in manoeuvres, a seaplane
attalion ship at work under condi-
ms Stimulating those of actual war
fare, and of around the edges, vari-
Gus operations by innumerable small
craft and auXiliaries.
Night target practice which also /,
cnducted within the harbor, is al.
ways an interesting sight. The battle.
ships steam down the nine-mne
course. Suddenly a searchlight picks
up a target. Instantly every turret il
I aimed, every gun directed Then
button is pressed somewhere, and tn,
suns speak as with one voice in
igantic roadside that awakens tn
echoes from the hills.
There is an infinite variety to tn
Jsrret practice on big battleship. TIL
dcer in charge of the turret speaks
IN enemy shell has come in through
lie turret, killing men numbers [, 9
4 and 6. Right gun disabled Connec
on with rest of ship lost Carry on.
The dead men" file off to one sid
and watch their comrades work as the.
would in actual battde There is tn,
st of a game TO it.
The officer speaks again Shell ha'
hit turret, killing all men except mum
mers l and 3. Number 8 is seriously
wounded. Ammunition hosting ma
chinery disabled Fire started in pile
Of waste behind gun Carry on TIL,
single unwounded man left in the tur
ret must now endeayor to keep tn,
suns in action single-handed, beside.
fealing with fire and a seriousl
wounded man. The dead men" stan;
aong the edge Of the turret anc
watch their comrades efforts to Carr,
on with interest and amusement.
1t is play, but play with a dead,
efficiency behind it for it is intende,
that in actual battle, there shall no
be a single possibility with whicl
these men win not be ready to deal
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