Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-08-30
NO.. 70
the Kattegat and the Skaserrak.

NO. 70
the Kattegat and the Skagerrak.
] Likewise. II Helgoland Blight were
made too hot for II, II could traverse
the canal and be secure in Kiel Bay.
But four years Of war have brought
simplifying developments. II Is sub
stantially impossible for the fleet to
reach the Atlantic by way Of the
Danish island passages. That would
require too much time. and the Allied
admiralties would almost certainly be
informed what was going on. More
over. Helpr, Ind has been so power
fully protected that there is almost no
danger OF any naval force attacking It.
So the problem Is practically solved
TO one OF the Germans getting out by
way of Helgoland. and the Allies
watching Helgoland so closely that
they can't get out.
When the British feet removed its
base from the Orkneys to the west
eIn coast OF Scotland 1t was COM
monty suspected that there was a very
good reason-namely. that the Ger
mans were thought liable to attempt
a combined naval military raid on the
English coast. The method would be
somewhat thus:
First. Several divisions Of troops
would be loaded on fast steamers in
the Helgoland Blight.
Then a naval force would make
the dash for the North sea striking
northward, with the intention OF draw
ing the British feet to fight 1t of.
After this race had been well
started and the British forces were
occupied in the chase the feet OF
transports would emerge, under pow
erful convoy. and race straight west
for the British coast. With luck. II
might effect a landing at one OF the
middle coast towns in about fifteen
hours. the distance being about 400
miles. In thick weather the entire
trip could be covered by the mantle
of one nights darkness.
Big Desperate Chance:
The Germans have the fast steam
ers for such an expedition. There is
no doubt they have considered and
planned 1t in the utmost detail. II
may be admitted that the force land
ed could not convert England into an
other Belgium. Nobody imagtnes II
could. neither Briton nor Germans.
But the British authorities admitted
on the other hand that force OF, say.
10000 German troops thus landed
might work terrific havoc with the
transportation system, Industries.
community morale. and military dis
positions.
1t might be worth while to sacri-
flee the necessary force for the possi-
bic results; especially II for mea-
surable time the mid country railroad
centers could be seized and the flow
OF industrial products from north to
south interrupted.
The possibilities of an invasion on
this plan have not been made less
attractive to the German stan IN re-
cent months. England is denuded OF
troops and men. The Hun has two
possible objects 70 gain. He might
get his feet. -oRts n - and q tee
same time land an army In EnsiazL
Hard to Catch.
The feet. once out in the Atlantic
would be hard to catch. II would be
real menace to the transport routes
Its policy might be based on that OF
the armies digging In" that Is seiz-
ing bases wherever possible and MAX
ing a desperate effort to continue the
struggle considerable time.
People in this country with a COM
Portable conviction that our coast Is
secured would be at least interested to
know that highly respectable naval
authorities have weighed most care
fully the possibilities Of German
naval dash bringing a hostile fleet
right outside Boston OF New York and
bombarding some OF our coast cities.
II used to be Halifax that the Brit
ish considered in possible danger; now
that this country Is belligerent. Hall
fax would be q less attractive target.
In the naval campaign Of move
ment," the possibilities are too nu-
merCus for discussion. A German
force once landed in England while
the English feet was compelled to
scour the seas looking for the German
fleet might even be reinforced and
maintained for a considerable period.
The time Is favorable from the stand
point of England's military position.
Accompanying such a desperate ad-
venture the Hun would, Of course. put
on his supeme effort for a military de-
cision in France and Flanders.
Once more 1t can be said that ev-
cry day Of growing military advan-
tage of the Allies in France brings
just such a possibility nearer.