Gilpin observer., 1919-03-20
HUN NAVY CRAVEN
JELL|C0E SHOWS
British Officer Surprised by Cau-
ton of Foe During First
of War.
GRAND FLEET IN DANGER
Short Of Cruisers, Destroyers and Had
Defenseless Bases In Early Months
Of confilct-Deseribes Big Bat
tie Of Jutland.

London.-The dangers to which the
British grand feet, short Of cruisers,
destroyers and with defenseless bases,
was exposed during the first two and
ene-half yedrs Of the war, owing to the
German use of submarines, mines and
torpedoes, is described in book writ
ten by Admiral Viscount JellicOe, for
mer commander of the fleet, covering
the activities Of 1914-16.
Admiral Jellicoe points out that the
German high seas fleet possessed ~
destroyers, compared with AZ for the
grand feet, and reveals that. owing to
the submarine menace, the grand fleet,
IN the fall of 1914, moved from Lough
Swilly and only returned to the North
sea when the anchorage in Scapa Flow
became reasonably safe.
Neither In October, 1914, nor in May,
1916, Admiral Jellicoe says, did the
British margin of superiority justify
him in disregarding the enemy's tor
pedo fire. The situation gradually i'm
proved after 1916, especially as the
Eight cruiser and destroyer forces with
the grand fleet increased steadily after
the battle Of Jutland, considerably re-
ducing the danger Of successful tor
pedo attack, while the inclusion Of
class X submarines made 1t probable
that the enemy would suffer more
severely from submarine attack than
the British.
Tables Are Turned.
Regarding 1918, Admiral Jellicoe
says:
"The position was assured and we
could have afforded to take risks which
the German feet had come out to bat
lie. a terrible punishment awaited
1hem."
One.third of the admiral's book is
devoted to the battle of Jutland. In
summing up the lessons Of the battle,
Admiral JellicOe dwells upon "the dan
ger involved In leaving too much to
chance In fleet action, because our fleet
was the one and only factor vital to
the existence of the empire, and, In
deed. to the allied cause"
1--WE had no reserve outside the bat
lie fleet which could in any way re-
place 1t in the event of disaster or
even should its margin of superiority
be eliminated" the admiral continues.
Admiral Jellicoe says he knew that
his ships were inadequately protected
with armor compared to the German
vessels of the battle cruiser type.
while the German feet in the battle
of Jutland was far better off in the
number of destroyers. In addition, the
Germans possessed "a most efficient
armor-piercing SHE'LL"
Describes Big Battle.
The admiral continues:
"when the battle fleets approached
shere was difference Of reckoning
between the British battle fleet and
She battle cruiser squadrons, due to
she cruisers having been engaged for
several hours and having repeatedly
altered their course. Hence. instead Of
being encountered right ahead, the enc
my appeared on the starboard bow"
Instant action was necessary, the ad-
mirnl says, and he decided to deploy on
the port wing division, thus compelling
the Germans to turn off to starboard to
svoid being crossed. This mnneuver,
which has been described as mastery
by reviewers. threw the enemy into
complete confusion. The German CON-
mander In chief realized that his only
hope lay in escape, profting by his
superiority In torpedo craft, low visi-
tlllty. the approach Of darkness and
the proximity of his bases and min,
fields.
The enemy at this period fired hun
dreds Of torpedoes. Hs German officers
have since stated. Admiral Jellicoe con-
tinues. and although the Germans were
in the gravest peril. the position Of the
grand fleet itself was menaced by de-
termined torpedo attacks IN thick
weather. But the British feet by turn
ing its battle line four times during
The action. the admiral says got clear
ef the torpedoes, which were racing
toward the British ships, and defeated
the tactics upon which the Germans
based their hopes.
After estimating the relative strength
Of the two fleets early In the war, Ad
mirnl Jellicoe expresses surprise that
the Germans were SO cautious ant
says:
"If this country in the future de
eided to rely for safety against raid.
or invasion on the feet alone. II II
essential that we possess consider
ably greater margin Of superiority ovel
possible enemy In all classes Of yes
sells than we did In August, 1914"
Change Village Name.
San Francisco, - Germantown,