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Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 236, 9 November 1914, Page 6

A cable message from Sydney on Saturday read as follows: "According to the 'Englishman' (a leading Indian journal) the cruiser Cumberland has captured eight ships of the Woermann line aiid one Hamburg-Amerika liner, in the Cameroon Biver, West Africa." This was one of the little , happenings that the censor omitted to mention. The current English exchanges—more than a month old —eontain an official notification of the bag secured by the British cruiser in West" Africa, but for one reason or another the incident was not reported in this part of the world. It is a satisfactory set-off against the losses of merchantmen caused by the depredations of'the Enxden and the Karlsruhe. Mention; of these elusive eruisers reminds that the report of the Konigsberg having been put out of action in the Indian Ocean has not yet been confirmed. The message was so framed that it would be surprising to hear it was true. While the Admiralty failed to make known to the extra-European world the exploit of the Cumberland, it has admitted after some hesitation' that the German version of the naval engagement off Valparaiso was quite accurate as to the essential de-' tails. It appears that the story was considered doubtful owing to no mention being made of the participation of the Canopus. The presence of the Canopus would have assured the British Pacific squadron a preponderating battery, for that cruiser has a broadside of 12-inch guns. Clearly, the Admiralty expected that she would be where, the Monmouth, Good Hope,; and the Glasgow were, and the fact of; her absence is likely to give rise to some. pointed questions being asked. With the Canopus to lead, it may be taken for granted that the German squadron would never have got away with-' out serious hurt. Unfortunately, the lighter vessels of. the squadron had to face the enemy, with the' result that' superior allround gun-fire gave the Germans a handsome little victory. The.absence of the Canopus may be easily explained, but. the explanation will liave to be made. The loss of the British ships and sp' many men is a serious matter in its way, but that the enemy should have escaped practically scot-free adds exasperation to ' regret. ,