New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-14
British Fleet Feels Attack
OnEnemy Bases Is TooRisky
Admiralty Assaulted by Press and Goaded by Demands for
Great Naval Ofensive-Grand Fleet Stronger
To-day Than in the First Year of War

the enemy won't come out then the
only alternative is TO attack his bases.
When Nelson won the battle Of Ira
falgar he had in British ports and
waters as secondary defence a
larger reserve feet than the one with
which he engaged the enemy. With
the American navy now cooperating,
the British situation is much the same,
and this exists for the first time in the
war.
By conveying ships. by patrolling the
Atlantic, America has relieved Britain
of considerable worry and responsible
ity. Indirectly she has permitted Brit
ish shipyards to give greater attention
to the building of merchantmen, upon
which the navy is dependent as the
army is upon motor transports.
Admiralty Too Passive
There has been strong agitation for
naval offensive on the German base
and it will increase in proportion to
the reverses suffered by the Allied ar
mics. There is war WEAKNESS with what
is called the passive policy of the Adj
miralty.
short time back there were many
signs that America was anxious TO have
the British navy adopt more aggres-
sive policy. have not the least idea
what Britain intends TO do at sea, and
couldn't say if 1 did, but there are
few things to consider before launch
ing an assault on the German bases.
The enemy has planted mines thickly
in all the waters around his bases and
has concentrated submarines at all i'm
portant points. He has perfected his
land defences until they make the guns
of the Dardanelles and of Oesel Island
look like air rifles. and besides he has
natural defences in the way OF shoals
which prevent attacking ships from
coming within reasonable range.
But suppose the British swept away
his mine fields. destroyed or evaded his
submarines and got within range OF
base containing number Of ships. This
preliminary attack would necessarily
prove costly. and many ships would
have been sacrificed. Gailipoli would be
child's play compared with il, but still
the British navy has grown to full
manhood since the Dardanelles, and
can afford to sacrifice ships whenever
there is reasonable opportunity OF fair
return on the investment.
Depend on Seaplanes
Now comes the critical period Of the
attack. German observation OF British
ships would be better than British OBJ
servation Of the Germans. The British
navy would depend on seap,anes, aero
planes and observation balloons, all Of
which would necessarily have to be
transported several hundred miles.
They would almost certainly meet with
desperate opposition. Working thre
hundred miles from their base is to-
tally different proposition from flying
miles above the enemy's trenches. how
ering over his gun positions, while a
flock Of battleplsnes keeps of hostile
pilots
Meanwhile the German coast defence
guns, with every part OF the water
front charted, would have the odds all
on their side, even. though the British
aerial observers furnished first class
reports on the positions of the enemy
ships within the harbor.
II the American fleet moved back and
forth between Tompkinsyiile and Fort
Lee while the German navy steamed
back and forth off Sandy HOOK, situa-
ton would arise somewhat similar 10
that which the British navy is asked to
face i'm an attack on the German fleet
in it, base.
Not a single man of the Grand Fleet