REJOICING IN FRANCE.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15669, 6 June 1916, Page 7

REJOICING IN FRANCE.

A DEEP IMPRESSIONGENEROUS PRESS TRIBUTES. VALUE OF THE BLOCKADE. (Received June oth, fl.lo p.m.) PARIS, June 5. Consternation was caused by the firstaccount of tho naval battle, but til is gave wav to great- rejoicing on Sunday night- over the British victory. Even the Verdun battle was relegated to second placo in the news, 'lhat tho full Gorman Fleet refused to fight and fled within its own waters has greatly impressed tho public. Admiral Dcgouy, writing to tlio Press, urges tho British Fleet to take tho opportunity now presented to pursue a resolute offensive at whatever cost. PARIS. June 4. The newspapers unanimously emphasise the importance of the British driving back the Germans into Kiel, and interpret the result as a German defeat. Admiral Besson, in the "Gaulois," salutes the heroic cruiscrs which bore tho brunt of the battle against heavy odds for ten hours. M. Roinaeli, in the "Figaro." states that Britain is still "sovereign mistress of the seas." All the newspapers lay stress on the fact that the strategic situation is unchanged. Tho blockade remains impassable, and that is the real test. M. Pichon, in the "Petit Journal," says: "Wo are perhaps at the commencement of a series of inevitable though foreseen cucountcrs, which England and tho Allies have no cause to fear." The "Journal" remarks that the Gorman object was to overwhelm an important part of the. British Fleet by a surprise, but the blow failed. The "Temps," in explaining the position of tile' British Fleet, says: "It is hard for sailors trained for battle to patrol seas unendingly, and only to not a few dozen submarines, to which work tho British Fleet has adapted itself. •"'Tho necessity at present is a- war of preparation more than of operation; a war of Governments more than of armies. Victories will bo not only to the bravest, but above all to the most intelligent. A blockado enforced, as Lord Robert Cecil has defined it, is worth 'moro than a naval victory. Tho British have won this, for the blockade continues. "We arc redoubling our watchfulness .and tightening our grip, and this will euffice."

RUSSIAN ADMIRATION. « THANK YOU, , ENGLAND!" ENEMY'S RAINBOW HOPES DISPELLED. (Received June sth, 8.50 p.m.) PETROGRADj June o. There is great public admiration for tho British heroism in the naval fight. Englishmen recognised in the streets are greeted with tho salutation, "Thank you, England!" The newspapers say the battle was undoubtedly a British success. The "Russky Invalid" says:—"lt dispels the rainbow hopes reposed in tho precocious German Navy." THE NEUTRALS' VERDICT. . GERMAN DEFEAT. (Received June sth, 9.15 p.m.) LONDON. June 5. Telegrams from all over the world give the verdict of neutral experts. Thoy declare that tho German claim of a victory is not warranted. All the newspapers emphasise tho fact that the blockade is unaffected and that the Germans remain bottled up.

AN AMERICAN VIEW. KAISER'S ARMADA BADLY BATTEBED. BATTLE FORM ATION COMPLETELY SMASHED. (Received June 6th, 1.10 a.m.) LONDON, June 5. Tlie London correspondent 0 f the "Chicago Daily News" says the British ships smashed the German battle formation completely. Although the British losses were heavy, they were not incommensurate •with, the havoc played with the "Kaiser's Armada," which -was so battered and impaired that it can be eliminated from British calculations for a considerable period. WITH THE DESTROYERS. GALLANT GUNNERS, THE DERFFLINGER SAID TO BE LOST. ("Received June 6th, 1.10 a.m.) LONDON, June 5. One of the first, vessels to draw the German fire was a destroyer, which was badly damaged. A shell killed an entire sun-crew, but a man rushed forward and kepi the gun firing. In another instance a whole gun-crew was killed except one man, who continued to work the gun. The destroyer's crew are confident that the battle-cruiser Derfflinger was lost. They saw her on fire.

THE AUSTRALIAN FLEET. MELBOURNE, Juno 5. The Nayv Office is of opinion that none of the ships of the Australian Fleet- -participated in the naval battle. AN APPALLING STORY. THE FRAUENLOB A SHAMBLES. I DEADLY BRITISH GUNNERY. (Received .lune sth, 1.10 a.m.) ROTTERDAM, June o. I Tho survivors of tlio cruiser Frauenlob say that the German Fleet left Wilhelmshaven at four o'clock on Wedi nesday morning. The shells of the British cruisers converted the Frauenlob into a shambles. Arms, legs, and bodies of men flew through tho air. Tlio scene was awful. Many of the crew wero killed beforo a torpedo dealt tho ship her death blow. j GRAND FLEET'S RETUEN. SMALL SIGNS OF CONFLICT. (Received Juno sth_. 5.20 p.m.) | LONDON, Juno 5. An officer who witnessed tlio return to port of tho British Fleet states that tho majority of the shine, showed small j signs of conflict. j Tho crews vehemently insist that the Germans suffered a far lieavier pound- > ing than wo did. The general opinion is that the German High Seas Fleet is put out of, effective action for some time. SCENES AT ADMIRALTY OFFICES. (Received Juno oth, S).lo p.m.) ; LONDON, Ju-o o. Many affecting tcencs occurred at tho Admiralty office. Thero was a constant stream of enquirer. l !, mostly women, but occasionally old men and boys and khaki-clad officers. In a- few cases the enquirer was overjoyed to learn that tho sailor enquired for had been transferred from one of the stricken ships. Tho wdmen received the bad tidings with quiet dignity. Some, however, were overcome and wero attended to by Red Cross nurses. HIS ONE REGRET. SIR JOHN JELLICOE'S MESSAGE. LONDON, Juno 4. J Sir John Jellicoe sent tho following message to tho Admiralty: — "My ono regret ia that the misty weather on Wednesday saved tho enemy from far more serious punishment." THE ADMIRALTY. PRESENT POLICY SOUND. (Received June sth, 10 p.m.) LONDON, Juno 4. "Tho Navy" repudiates the suggestion of tho reconstitntion of tlie Admiralty. While assisting him in every ■way possible, the Admiralty's present goupd policy ia to leavo everything to Sir John Jellicoe. SIR RIDER HAGGARD'S WORD PICTURE. THE GERMAN FLEETS RETREAT. "VICTORY AND PRIDE FOR OLD J ENGLAND." j (press association telegram.) I WELLINGTON, Juno 5. "I know those northern coasts and I can imagine the engagement as it occurred," said Sir Rider Haggard, 6peaking of tho naval battle at a civic reception tendered to him to-day. Ho could see, he said, the low lying coast and the misty, stormy seas; the torpedo boats tempting the enemy out; then tho rush of tho enemy battle squadron to meet our numerically weaker and lighter fleet; tlio desperate fray lasting through the grey day to the night, and the unequal light until the morning; and, finally, tho approaoh of tho British Battle Squadron and the flight of the enemy, leaving the sea covered with wreckage and with the dead. ''The Germans claim a victory," Sir Rider went on to say. "It is a lie. Do victorious fleets rush as fast as steam could force them hack to the sholtor of their own minefields and their own harbours ? By that fact alono wc know that it is a lio. As the cuttlofish obscures its retreat by throwing out ink around it. Bo the Germans obscure their retreat with the ink of lies. Although iour squadron met tho full weight of their navy, although many of our ships were destroyed, yet it was victory that wo wrote on our banners after that unequal fight. For old England and the Empire there remained after this terrible fray victory and pride* and for our dead ail immortal wreath of glory." (Loud applause.) A GIFT BATTLESHIP SUGGESTED. (press association* telegram.) ASHBURTON, June 5. At the meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council to-night a resolution was carried expressing sympathy with the relatives of the gallant sailors who had lost their lives in tho naval engagement. It was also decided:—"That this Council urges upon Parliament to present the Home Government with a battleship to replace one of the vessels lost in the engagement." TRAMWAY BOARD. APPRECIATION AND SYMPATHY. Reference to the naval action was made at yesterday's meeting of the Tramway Board by tho chairman (Mr J. A. Flesher), who said thev had nothing to be pessimistic about, but really had causo to feel gratification at tho way tho British Empire had taken tho earlier news. He moved—"This Board desires to place on record its appreciation of the splendid manner in which the best traditions of the British Navy were upheld in the recent battle in the North Sea, resulting in tho completo frustration of tho plans of the enemy. It would express its deep sympathy with all whoso dear ones who made tho greatest sacrifice possible for the sako of their King and Empire." Tho motion was carrid. NEW BRIGHTON BOROUGH COUNCIL. At last night's meeting of the NewBrighton Borough Council the Mayor

(Mr J. A. Flesher) referred to tho naval action in tlio North Sea. and moved—'"That this Council gratefully records its appreciation of tho splendid efficiency and valour displayed by tho British Navy in the battle in the North Sea, which took placo on Wednesday last, •whereby the plans of the enemy were completely frustrated. it would express its profound sympathy with those who have suffered irreparablo loss through tho sacrifice of loved ones bravely given for their Jving and country." Cr. Winny, wlio roso in support of tho motion, said ir was pleasing tai note that, tie British had not. upon re-, ceiving the later and better news, gone" in for bell-ringing, flag-wagging, an<f rejoicing as our iocs tho Germans had dono. : The motion was carried in all present standing. CITIZENS' DEFENCE CORPS. At tho meeting of tho School of In- . struction of the Citizens' Dcfonco Corps \ hold last eyeniiijr. tlio Commandant, .Mr ; •I. J. Dougall, moved the following mo--; tion:—"That tho Citizens' Defence.; Corps record its humble tribute of re--; spect and admiration of tho heroic work * of tho Fleet in tho North Sea battle.-j and extends its sincere sympathv to they relatives of tho bravo men who fell i'*"> tho fight. 7 ' Tho motion was carried! unanimously, tho members of School standing.