COULD GERMANY INVADE ENGLAND?

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12976, 2 December 1907, Page 6

COULD GERMANY INVADE ENGLAND?

Discussion of the question whether it is possible for a particular nation to invade a neighbouring nation may apIpear provocative, and in tho case of Germany, which has just been making friendly overtures to England, it may seem discourteous and ill-timed. But as everyone knows, the question has been considered by the British Government and veiled reassurances on the point have before now been given to the House of Commons; it has been discussed iv the Press of both countries, and thero is not the least doubt that the German naval and military authorities have given it the fullest thought. It has been asserted that complete plans for a sudden descent upon the oast coast of England lie in pigeon-holes in th© German war office, and there is no reason to doubt the statement. "England has never in her "long history been face to face with "such redoubtable rivals as the Ger- " mans," remarks the military correspondent of "The Times" in discussing this question. They have all that the would-be invaders in past times had, and more. They have armies, ships and porta; and above all they havo "a '•spirit of enterprise and sacrifice, a "tenacity of purpose, and a know- " ledge of the science of war which "aro unsurpassed." No more important cable messages havo appeared in our columns during the past fow days than those dealing with German naval policy. > Within the next ten years Germany proposes to spend 208 millions sterling on tho Navy, half of tho amount to ho devoted to building and arming new -hips. This ia an immense development of tho programme of the yyear 1000, and of the supplementary proposals, which allowed for an expenditure of 177 millions between 1906 and 1917. That was to provide a Navy which would include 38 battleships, 48 armoured cruisers, and 102 destroyers, and though theso would be outnumbered by British vessels of the samo classes, it must not 'bo forgotten that they would practically all be concentrated in tho North Sea, whereas England's Navy has to cover tho wide world. In ten years''time, unless the Kaiser's plans miscarry, Germany will be a much greater naval Power than she is to-day, and thore is always the possibility that when that position is attained, or even before, England may have to meet a German invasion.

Tho "Times" writer we havo already quoted fully believes that such an invasion is feasible. He points out that thero always exists in German'ports sufficient transport for tlie despatch of an expedition adequate in strength for tho invasion of England, and that every year tlie facilities for such operations improve. The powerful coast defences and tho retired positions of the chief German harbours allow the embarkation of an army to take place in all security, and he believes that 200,000 men might be concentrated at North Sea ports within thirty-six hours after receiving orders. "Contrast this, by way, with the statement of an English volunteer officer befor© a recent "Royal Commission that owing to tli© lack of organisation and tho ignorance as to the whereabouts of stores, he " would like to have a month be"fore taking tlie field." Tlio regulars would, we hope, do 'better than this, but could the War Office within twice thirty-six hours send to any threatened point a force competent to deal with 200,000 invaders? One would like to be certain on that point. Tlie writer rccb no particular difficulty in tho landing of such an invading force. They would have to bo served by tho conditions Yon Moltko required-— "wind, weather, circumstances, and '" lucli"—but even that combination is not iin_>os_ible. Neither is it .beyond

the bounds of r_ossibility for the German navy, by o headlong dash, at least to keep busy those portion** of our nary that would otherwise interfere with the landing. On this matter other experta join issue with '*Tho "Times" correspondent, and it would bo absurd to pretend to decide which is in the right. That could only be settled by the test of experience, nnd that is the last tribunal to which any one would willingly see the dispute referred. But there can bo no quarrel with the writer's suggestion as to the measures necessary for England's safety—a. battle fleet permanently stationed in. the North Sea, stronger than the German fleet, in full commission throughout tho year, and jiosscssing all the accessories of sea power in the shape of secure and convenient bases, cruisers, (scouts, destroyers, submarines, and storeships, end a fleet of transports ready to embark 10.000 marines at an hour's notice. On shore Aye would have an improved plan of mobilisation for all forces, a definite plan of operations to meet an invasion, and constant training and practice until all the machinery is perfected. Much won I<l have to be dono beforo this condition was brought about, and, in the first place, tlie nation has to be convinced of the necessity of preparing for war in time of peaco moro fully than is at present the case. And tho nation is too much occupied with tho serious business, of "Diabolo" to worry its head about such questions as the possibility of a German invasion, or the best means of defeating it.