DURATION OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 86, 6 January 1926, Page 9

DURATION OF THE WAR

VON TIRPITZ BLAMES THE ALLIES

BRITAIN SHOULD HAVE ANNIHILATED THE GERMAN FLEET

Admiral von Tirpitz declares that the duration of the ; war was the fault of the Allies. He argues that instead of i seeking a military decision Britain should have forced a battie with the German fleet in the hope of annihilating it

i'ik—Press Association. Copyright

London, January 4. The “Daily Express” features an extraordinary special article from the pen of the German Admiral von Tirpitz, in which the writer declares that the duration of the war was the fault of the Allies, who were seeking a military decision when they must have realised that Germany, as re'garded land warfare, was not only able to hold her own, but was capable of inflicting severe punishment. Numerically, Germany was superior to her adversaries the Allies, and her superiority was increasing yearly. ADVANTAGE OF PEACE IN 1915. “Therefore,” says the writer, “the Allies should have attempted peace by conciliation, being aware that Germany was willing to negotiate on a basis which left every nation the right of existence. Such a peace in 1915 would have been of infinite advantage to Europe and England. There would not have been debts which cannot te paid either by victors or vanquished; there would have been no danger of Bolshevism, no millions of workless, no Dawes Plan, which is certain finally to collapse. America would not dominate the world, and coloured nations would not menace European civilisation. BRAINS OF ALLIES CENTRED IN LONDON, “The brains of the Allies before the war and more so in wartime,” he •continues, “were centred in London, and the struggle became more and more between England and Germany. British statesmen did not foresee that the complete disintegration. of Germany would carry the victors into the abyss.

They did not realise that their own interests demanded a short war and a just peace by conciliation. It was plain to everyone' in 1915 that a short decision on land was impossible, but the annihilation of the German fleet was not absolutely hopeless at 'that time. It is difficult to tell why Britain did not force battle with every single ship at her command, having the additional advantage associated with the attacking force.” FIGHTING QUALITIES OF GERMAN FLEET. Admiral von Tirpitz proceeds to declare that the Battles of Coronel and Falklands constituted warning to Britain not to under-estimate the fighting qualities of the German fleet, while Jutland effectively proved German superiority. “History,” he says, “will decide whether Britain was right in favouring a war of attrition in preference to risking her fleet in a contest in which the result might have been doubtful. When the German fleet emerged in 191 G it had another purpose. The Battle of Jutland resulted, as the merest chance. It was a surprise to both sides.”

The writer proceeds to describe in detail the movements of the battle, and repeats his opinion that Admiral Jellicoe acted correctly. In view of the tremendous numerical superiority of the British Fleet and the absolute confidence of the average Englishman in its material and personal ascendancy, a hesitating naval strategy would be difficult to explain. He concludes by saying that the imminent complete collapse of Europe has been staved off by the Locarno Pact. Nevertheless, the work remaining to be done is colossal.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.