WITH THE GREAT NAVIES.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19459, 5 November 1928, Page 8

WITH THE GREAT NAVIES.

THE BATTLES AT CORONEL AND THE FALKLAND'S.'-'

• FILM AT THE GRAND TO-DAY. Not since von Trorap nailed a broom to his masthead, back in the days of .the Stnarts, to signify his intention qi sweeping the English from the seas, had the seadogs of Britain encountered such worthy foes as they did at Coronel, on November Ist, 1914. Just a few weeks since the declaration of war, and the (Germans were nosing round South America, seekirig for somo spot to 'annihilate the navies' of Britain, and to gain control of the Atlantic; and the . 'southern, ocean. When. Admiral von .Spee met- Admiral Qraddock at Coronel, on the north-west coast, of South America, the German'had five cruisers, and the Englishman four, and 'was also in wireless communication with-H.M.S. ;Canopu;i. In number and .weight of, guns, ,Crad4ock was overwhelmingly superior., to von . Spee. The German officer sunk the Good Hope, Admiral Ofaildock's 'flagship, and the' Monmouth,'and escaped to Valparaiso'with negligible losses. After such a , defeat, explain able, no doubt, but an issue with which we are not concerned here, it behoved Britain to regain her laurels. At the Falklands,.a few days later, -when von Spee had sailed with his squadron in hopes of establishing a base for his ships there, Admiral Sturdee, who had been dispatched with two more.ships, met the enemy, and succeeded in sending the* German squadron to the bottom, with the exception of the speedy Dresden, which escaped in the darkness. As at Coronel, the English had the advantage in number and weight of guns, and also in range. Coronel was .won, the official history tells us, by the skill of the German gunners; and it'would have been strange indeed if the roving, Viking English had not been able to avengo their defeat off tie Falklands. Those two battles, occurring early in the war, and of immense s commercial importance; have been filmed under the official supervision of the Admiralty. The producers have succeeded in making an excellent picture out of these stirring engagements, and the picture, entitled "The Battles of Coronel,and the Falkland Islands," will bo screened at the Grand Theatre this week In dofence of "war pictures," it might be said here now that they always are interesting and educational; to .some they are anathema, coming so soon on the heels ■ of the world disaster; on the other hand, it is criminal to allow the younger generation to grow up with ideas'gleaned from history books as to what the Great War was. The motion picture screen, in the hands of 'a capable man, can be the means of fostering both an increased patriotism! and if one leans towards disarmament, an increased hatred of war. There have been so many war pictures dealing solely with the armies, and two or three dealing with the Air Force, that it is gratifying to see naval battles now receiving attention. ' 'Zeebrugge'' was the first and last of the big sea battles to be screened; the exploits of the Emden nro now completed, and now comes tho battles of Coronel and the Falklands. It is an excellent picturo, and exhibited to their Majesties, earned the earnest commendation of the King. The box plans are at The Bristol' Piano Company, where seats should be reserved.