New-York tribune., 1918-01-27

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and the German ships disappeared in
the direction of Gibraltar.
The vital question for the French
then became, "Whcre would the Ger
mans seek refuge? Would they make
for the Straits Of Gibraltar?" There
was German collier in the Baleari,
Islands that limited at that direction
Would they make for Pola: The Brit
ish fleet would watch for them thcr.
at least, though they could not sink
them, as war had not been declared bv
England. Again. would they make for
Suez? That was hardly probable. The
idea of the Dardanellcs then most un-
fortunately received no consideration.
The German ships were found by tho
British forces between Tunis and Sar-
dinia. That was just twelve hours be-
fore England declared war, and there
was nothing to do but pass each other
in opposite directions, each force
ready to fire after the other did. As
for a salute. the time had passed for
such politcncss. The British ATTEMPTED
to follow, but were soon lost in tho
chase, with the exception Of the cruiser
. Weymouth. When darkness set in the
German admiral changed course, shook
oil his last follower and put in for the
second time at Mcssina. At II p. m
news came that England had declared
war. We are told that there was grave
silence among the German crew.
/ AT Messina Gordon Of Italian de-
stroycrs formed around the German
ships to preserve neutrality and re-
mind the belligerents that they could
remain but twenty-four hours, accord
ing to internationa law
Battled by Two
Enemy Fleets
AS the fateful end OF the twenty
four hours was approaching, the ad :
mlral was reminded by the Italians
that he must leave. But how" With
the British battle-cruisers waiting for
him outside, already bcckoning him
with false radio messages to Join the
Austrian fleet: 1t was battle without
mercy that he faced. A silence of de-
spair was coming over his men. But
preparations were made to make the
enemy pay dearly. AS Il last repast,
rich dishes and wines were served out
TO men from the Generals stores, in
sprins music and patriotic appeals
from the captains inhamed the men
(with the help Of the winc) into a
state OF vicious courage.
"Outsido are two enemy hcets-wc
arc only two; but we will pass. Re-
member the Iltis." said one captain to
his men. The Iitis was a torpedo boa.
that in 1896 had been thrown ashore in
the China Sea by a typhoon. Nearly
/ the entire crew was lost.
Then, at about 3 in the evening, q
radio came to the ships: Ellis majesty
expects the Goeben and the Breslau TO
succeed in breaking. through" With
colors flying, band playing ard caps
waving in the air, the cruisers steamed
out OF the port, followed by the Gem
eral, to which a later rendezvous had
been assigned. Hardly had the harbor
been left before the lookout sienalled
"a cruiser ahead to port" But it was
only the little Gloucester, with two
6-inch guns and ten 4-inch. The Ger
mans were eager to open fire. But the
admiral refused to give the order and
even refused permission to the radio
officer to Jam" the warning that the
Gloucester was quickly sending to the
British battle cruisers that lay waiting
at the Strait of Otranto. Then straight
into the jaws of the lion headed the
admiral, disobeying orders and riskine
everything iii a last effort to force the
naSSara ia pO1a