The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-05-03
WILL GERMANY'S NAVY COME OUT? TIE LAST THROW Ronald Rhodes, Famous Naval Writer Believes
 Huns Will Try Battle.
ENGLISH INVASION
 MAY BE ATTEMPTED
All Danger of Attack By Russian Fleet Leaves Enc
 my Desperate Chance.
By RONALD RHODES,

Will the German High Seas Fleet participate in the great offensive the enemy has launched? In naval circles the belief is strongly held that before long we shall witness a big action at sea, that the German fleet will ven ture forth for the last desperate effort to overthrow Britain, and indications are not lacking in the German press that Der Tag is rapidly approach ing. The German people today are being told that the destruction of Britain's supremacy is absolutely necessary-the one essential object of the war-and the hint is given that the submarine cannot accomplish this sweeping blow alone.
 Personally I am inclined to the be- lief that the enemy fleet will strike soon, for the delivering of a stagger- ing blow at Britain is an absolute ne- cessity to Germany. It is admitted now that Germany has undertaken the offensive from sheer desperation; it is the last fateful throw in the great gamble.
 The Strategic Reason.
 There were strategic reasons why the German High Seas Fleet should not take too great risks in the past. Germany had enemies in the East as l well as in the West. In the Baltic was the Russian navy, a not by any | means inconsiderable fleet, but one which was no match for the German l High Seas Fleet. Were the enemy | fleet in the days when Russia was our Ally and a fighting force to be reck- oned with, to have risked venturing into the open, and have flung the challenge to the British Fleet, there was always the danger of the Russian | ships attacking the enemy's bases 1T the East with every prospect of sue cess. Now, however, all danger o1 attacking in the rear by the Russian fleet is over, the eastern entrance tC the Kiel canal may be left to the cart 1 of few old ships which would in { big engagement with the British flee prove more of an encumbrance thar a help. The whole of the German High Seas Fleet is now available for blow against the British fleet, and i is quite within the bounds of possi | bility that the German fleet has beel reinforced by the addition of tht powerful dreadnoughts of the Russian Baltic fleet and the modern destroy CTS.
 The one longing of the German has been to land an army in Britain Invasion has ever been their dream and ruling passion, and, although thwarted in August, 1914, the HUI has not abandoned his dream. Tn ships in which he\ was to hav brought his troops to Britain in Aug ust, 1914, the curious sraft he had de signed, still exist. They are stil ready for the day he will make tn risky adventure. The U-boats hav admittedly failed to accomplish tn German aim. They have not inter rupted our communications witt France, which from the German poin of view is even more important thai starving Britain out.
 The Great Gamble.
 Never was there time when would better pay Germany to invad these shores than the present, no mat ter if the invading force was destroy ed to man. The very attempt would be sufficient to cause serious incon venience to us at home and to add t the anxieties of the commanders il the field of battle.
 Will the enemy embark upon thi desperate adventure in the last des perate gamble. There are those wht !. holding high office consider that sucl plan is we'll within the bounds o possibility, while others go so far a to say that it is highly probable. Soo1 the IS. o. S." will go up from tn German armies in the field, and thel the fleet will act. The German Higl Seas fleet may venture forth to en gage our battleships in the North Sea While the fight is in progress, befor' even the decision has been reached the transports, shallow water craft will steal out, protected by destroyers submarines, and aircraft, and the Hu1 will again attempt to realize his in vasion dream. All our available force being occupied in repelling his efforts his U-boats will endeavor to breal through our defensive system into tn channel, and cut our communication with France. A gigantic scheme, ad . 'mittedly, but one which Germany il her desperately straitened circum stances may well consider it wortl while attempting (By the Interna , tional News Bureau, Incl
 0DT MANY