BRITISH NAVAL STRATEGY.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 206, 28 August 1920, Page 17

BRITISH NAVAL STRATEGY.

RETIRED U.S. ADMIRAL'S PRAISE. British naval strategy during the war was admirable, and the (British Navy the only barrier that prevented the German High 'Seas Fleet from blockading and most .probably invading the Atpai"tiic coast of the United States. This is the opinion expressed in an interview by Rear-Admiral Bradley Allen Fiske, U.S.N., retired, published in the "Christian Science 'Monitor" of Boston. Admiral Fiske-'s opinion was sought by 'his interviewer in an effort to put before readers the comparative values of prudence, courage, and audacity in naval strategy—terms employed by President Wilson in his now famous speech to the officers of the Atlantic Fleet, which has beoome public as a result of the SimsDaniels controverev.

Replying to the direct question ac to what he thought of British naval strategy during the war, Admiral Fiske said: "It was admirable in every way. Taking all factors into consideration, the British Navy is the best in the world, and has been for 200 years. They knew more abotrt the North Sea and adjacent coasts than anybody else could have known except the Germans.

"If the British 'Fleet, had not stood in the way; if, for instance, it had committed 'suicide by rushing on the German mine fields as some .people have urged, I don't see what could have prevented the German Fleet from coming over here in superior force, blockading our coast, and driving our ships off the 6eas, just as the British actually did drive the Germans off."

British naval strategy before the war, Admiral Fiske adds, was shortsighted, but this, he contends, was attributable to the Admiralty rather than to the Navy itself.

"Naval policy was largely- subservient to political considerations. 'But during the war, being confronted wfth conditions caused in part by that pre-war shortsightedness, the strategy wae perfectly correct and very fine."