NAVAL WARFARE

Press, Volume L, Issue 14980, 9 June 1914, Page 7

NAVAL WARFARE

SIB PERCY SCOTT'S THEORY.

' "A FANTASTIC DREAM."

(By C«b'.e.—Preee Assertion.—Copyright.) (Received Juno Btn, 5.45 p.m.) LONDON, June 8. Admiral Sir F. C. Bridgmao declares chat Sir Percy Scott's letter contains nothing which is new to tho Admiralty, except his advjee lnimediaieiy to reduce the shipbuilding programme and resort to inacburate and undeveloped weapons. The time lias not arrived for such radical changes, .t'r -oush it ultimately bo reached by future developments. Lord Sydenham considers that Sir Percy Scott's theory is a fantastic dream. He emphasises that aeroplanes are useless for scouting or assisting submarines at night time, or in fogs and storms. The submarine is very vulnerable on the surfa-e, while when wholly submerged iis navigation is difficult and dangerous.

Mr John Loyland, editor of the "Navy," considers t>>nt Britain must haeten slowly, along Sir Percy Scott's pathway, awaiting developments, He foresees that U:e size of submarines will increase until the dimensions of a Bub-inarine-battleship are attained.

Sir Phillip Watts declares that half the submarines' power for harm is their invisibility. They could not attack at night without the aid of searchlights, vyhieh would indicate their position.

The Berlin "Post" urges Sir Percy Scott to endeavour to convince his 4 own countrymen, and addsi "Germany will not follow Britain's oxample, but will gratefully inherit supremacy on tho sea, which will then" be hers without a struggle."