Untitled

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 240, 13 November 1914, Page 6

The loss of that brilliant raider, the Emden, has created a feeling of depression in Germany. The news, coming as it did on top of the victory of Admiral von Spee off the South American coast, has apparently dispelled the enthusiasm that was evoked by the defeat of Bear-Admiral Cradock's squadron. The value of the Emden as a menace to British shipping in the East was well recognised in official circles in Berlin. For two months Commander von Muller has made the most of his time in the Bay of Bengal. It must have been, good news for citizens in the Fatherland to hear at'regular intervals of the destruction one after another of British merchantmen, especially when the German War Council was not in a position to record signal victories over the enemy on la,nd. That is ouc aspect of the moral effect resulting from the episode at the Cocos Islands. It hurt all the more that Germany has come to recognise that Admiral von Spec is now busily engaged hi evading the pursuit of a strong allied fleet which, when contact is made, will effectually silence the German Pacific Squadron, and thus sweep the seas clear

of the enemy's ships. The mistake which resulted in the defeat of the inferior British squadron off Valparaiso will not be repeated. When the Scharnhorst and its company are bailed up there should be an end to that part of the German navy which is not hiding behind the guns of Heligoland. Another aspect of the exploit of the Australian cruiser Sydney is to be noted: It will demonstrate to the scoffers in official German circles the tangible assistance that is being rendered by Britain's oversea dependencies to the Mother Country. As American journals, commenting on the success of the Sydney, observe, it must be a matter of special gratification to Britain "i view of the contempt which has always been exhibited by the Germans for the fighting strength of the. . Imperial Dominions, that the honour of putting the elusive Emden out of the way has/ fallen to the Australian navy. When the various Expeditionary Forces from the colonies have taken their place in the fighting line, Germany will suffer another disillusionment. Not only have the oversea Dominions sent strong detachments of soldiers to Europe, but they are d termined to keep up the supply, should Britain require them. Germany's contempt for what she believed to be the uselessness of the British dependencies for military and naval purposes, is only another instance of the -faulty German perspective; The splendid response in fighting men for the front, and the proud successes of the Australian fleet in Southern waters are ■complete and "sufficient answers to the scoffers in Berlin.