The New York herald., 1922-07-30

Copyright, 1922, bU THE NEw ioRK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Berlin. July 20.
Why Germany did not send out her
fleet to attack that Of the British when
the latter was scattered all over the
world in the early part of the war is ex-
planned in the second volume OF the Off
cial history OF German sea war, now
being published here.
1t was in the belief that Il England
were defeated on land and not at sea
Germany would be able to expand far
more in the future without her opposi-
tion than IL Britain's fleet were de-
stroyed. Further 1t was hoped that by
not striking at the English fleet that
empire might be made an ally in the
regrouping of nations after peace.
Kaiser Forbade battle.
This attitude, represented mainly by
Albert Ballin. prevailed with Kaiser
Wilhelm only after a bitter political
battle. He then gave an official order
which forbade Won TirpitZ and a ma
jority OF naval officials who favored
immediate battle TO carry out their
plans. The protest OF Won Tirpitz, even
after the l<aiser's order, brought no re-
ply. II was simply placed OH file and
the order remained in effect. In II the
Emperor had appealed TO all officers
and men OF the navy not to lose their
spirit because OF the order but to re-
main ready for any call which might
arise.
In the period from the beginning OF
the war 20 November. 1914, Won Tirpitz
and his supporters clamored for an inn
mediate decisive battle against the scat
tered portions OF the British fleet still
IN European waters Admiral Pohl. COM
mander-in-chief OF the fleet and Won
Muller. chief of the marine general staff,
at once opposed this action and Albert
Bsllin. head of the Hamburg american
lines at that time. furnished the argu-
ments which won their case.
The sea history quotes Ballin's letter
TO Won Tirpitz asking him TO give up
the project of attacking the English
fleet.
THE successful making OF peace is
as difficult as bringing the war TO a
successful end" he wrote. I'VE must
strive for a new grouping of nations
an alliance which will include France.
England and Germany. Such an agree
ment can be reached IL France is beaten
and an agreement is reached with Eng
land. Frances desire for revenge is
bcarable but England's desire for re-
venge would jeopardize tremendously
German economy and Our share in the
world trade and affairs
England. like Germany, is hghting
for her existence, and IL France is
beaten / am convinced that her claim
TO naval superiority will be moderate.
An agreement for the strength Of fleets
is needed by both OF us"
Navy Indispensable Reserve.
BalIin adds that the navy Is ,he in
dispensable reserve and should not be
used any more than business man
would use his reserve capital until time
of need.
THAT our navy In superior TO that OF
the English both In material and ren
g. believed not only by ourselves hut by
the English" he continued. King Ed
ward himself remarked that the British
ravy DID not compare with ours Except
in numbers
why. then, do you want to SO into
battle against greater number OF ships
than yours? Even after victory the
ylctors would come home shipwrccked.
I'VE have to busy ourselves with prep
arations for peace. DO you think It
v ould be good preparation for peacu
II the British navy were decisively
beaten? Quite to the contrary. A de-
cisive blow at her navy would only rem
Ger her more furious and induce her to
fight TO the last man.
we must get our compensation for
this war in the anne xation Of valuable
te rritory pbroad and this can cnly he
done II we live in peace with England.
Ballln at the time ~ writing u Q let
ter felt sure that peace on land. would
come soon, and. like other opponents OF
Won Tirptz, strove untiringly TO prevent
a struggle Al sea which they believed
could only have the result OF making the
rupture with England permanent. re-
gardiess OF the outcome Of the war.