The Washington times., 1918-02-28
RUSSIAN COLLAPSE
MAKES NEW NAVAL
TASK FOR ALLIES

NEW YORK, Feb. 2S.-The new
situation created on the seas by
final collapse of Russia is beginning
to receive serious public attention. IL
is impossible instantly to measure the
full effect of an event Of such mashl-
tude in all its various bearings, sa! >
Charles II. Grasty. in a copyright us
patch to the New York Times.
The possibilities of bringing new
armies to the western line have oeeh
anticipated, and Germanys pehet
ton eastward has been STUDIED from
both the military and economic vie"
poiHt. But the gravity OF the cohse-
uuences TO the naval situation ar
only beginning to be generally reaiizeo'
although doubtless the naval authoii
ties have foreseen and prepared LOT
the new burdens and dangers.
RussIan Aid Effective.
At the opening of the war the pres
.nce in the Baltic of the trained and
efficient Russian naval force under
the late Admiral Benson presented a
real difficulty to Germany. Bessen's
feet required such a diversion OF GeD
man naval strength rs considerably
TO assist the English fleet in its three
tasks-that against the main German
fleet in the North sea, that against
the submarines and mines, and that
against tip and run raider enter
prises.
With the death Of the admiral. who
had established a new standard OF ef-
ficiency in the Russian navy, came the
progress Of deterioration, but still
81
be omitted from German calculations.
Even under the Bolshevist regime
Germany was obliged to keep consid'
cradle forces in the Baltic.
The surrender of Russia has olivia
ted this necessity entirely and creates
a new situation which puts an addi-
tional strain on the allied navy. The
best naval opinion recognizes the
British effort during the war as eff
ficient. While there has been much
armchair" criticism, informed and
balanced views credit the British
navy with good average excellence
Germany's showing against the allies
navies has been due to her own en-
ergy and efficiency and the sub
marine, which introduced a new fea-
ture in marine warfare.
Must Face New Condition.
Whatever may be the merits OF the
various controversies waged regard
ing the percentage OF British naval
efficiency. or whether disaster in the
Baltic might have been prevented by
timely assistance. the important fact
is that we are now obliged TO face
new conditions at sea. II is even
considered possible that the German
fleet may take the offensive, and il
must be remembered that it always
has the advantage in an attack OF
the selected moment" as against the
average moment" The Germans
can choose time and place. whereas
| the allies must accept battle when
ever and wherever offered.
America will be particularly inter
ested in the possible effect that the
! release of the German craft in tbs
Baltic may have upon submarine &C
tivities. The best opinion in Europe
has held that optimism about con-
trolling the submarine has beer
somewhat premature, and it is now
believed that the freeing of German
vessels in the Baltic and read just
ments in the grand fleets disposition:
thereby made necessary may compe
a sharp revision Of optimistic esti
mates.
As the submarine controls thu
question OF the transport OF the
American army. and the American
army in turn controls ultimately th'
question of when and how the wal
shall end. the sea aspect OF the Rus
sian disaster takes on an impOrtanc,
fully as great as any other.