The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-11-21
THE GERMAN NAVY

Man proposes, but God disposes. The kaiser proposed a
great navy that was intended to meet England on her favorite
battlefield, the sea, and although many millions were spent on
it, its growth was arrested prematurely and when the war be
gan the great battcships were glad to take refuge IN the
Kiel canal, where they have lain idle for four years.
Defeated here. the kaiser. with the advice Of Won Tirphz.
turned his attention to undersea craft, and ii was expected
and even boosted that nothing ahoat could live on the sur
face. The U-boats promised much and the Germans made
light OF Americas entrance into the war, loudly claiming that
our transports and supply ships would be sunk as soon as they
crossed the Atlantic. 4 policy of frghtiulness was determined
upon and the fact that modern submersblcs could come to this
country and return home without revictuaIIng. gave alarm IN
some quarters When the measure Of these sea assassins was
once taken. defensive means were begun, and soon American
genius had produced destroyers, chaserS, depth bombs ana
other weapons which, after a while. put a stop to the acuvl
ties of the U-boats and reduced this new menace to a NM
mum, and soon rendered it impotent. This arm OF the Ger
man navy having also failed, there was nothing Tor 1t but sur
render, and as soon as the land forces were disposed OF the
navy was useless, and is now coming out OF its hiding place
and will be turned over to increase the sac and add to the
strength OF the allied sea power. Thus has Cod disposed OF
another OF proud mans ambitions. .
The German navy, in tho hands Of civilized peoples, will
be q great use and benefit in preserving, the peace on me
world and protecting smaller nations. so lar as Germany Isl
concerned it is a dead loss and waste; to the allies 1t will be
a clean gain and a saving Of corresponding magnitude
1t was intended to be a weapon OF sayaGery; but under
a wise providence, it will be a bulwark of civilization. In divid-
ing the spoil the United States should see to 1t that we get
our full share OF the booty. Great batttIeshpS cost immense
sums OF money. and now that we have become a world power
and must protect ourselves and do our part IN policing the seas
we will need ships and plenty OF them, 1t will be a sad day
for Germany when her great battleships steam out from their
strike their colors to the allies; but this also is a form OF
~retibutive justice which the Huns must prepare, Tor. Ger
tainly they will not be permitted to retain anything which
would enable them to disturb the peace OF the world IN the
future. The German army will be disarmcd, her tortresses
dsmanted, or in the hands Of her former enemies, her country
reduced and her people loaded down with a crushing debt
which it will take centuries to pay. She will be III no position
to make trouble and in the future must observe the rules of
common decency and submit to justice and fairness. When a
people sin away their day of grace as the Huns have done.
they must expect to suffer and make such atonement as lies
within their power. Their dreams OF conquest, their depend
ence on forty years OF preparation, their impious claim to a
partnership with God, have all vanished; No such complete
disaster ever overlook an arrogant nation and its ruler since
the legions Of Pharaoh were swallowed up i'll the Red sea, and
with the rescued people of those days we OF today can say;
Jehovah hath %triumphed; his people are free