CHANGE OF BASE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 76, 1 April 1910, Page 7

CHANGE OF BASE.

GERMAN BATTLESHIPS. TRANSFER FROM THE BALTIC TO THE NORTH SEA. By Telegraph. — Press Association.— Copyright. (Received April 1,9 a.m.) BERLIN, 31st March. Germany is transferring her battleships from the Baltic to the North Sea, and is making Wilhelmshavcn the new base, with Borkum and Heligoland as advanced positions. The length of the German coast line on the North Sea is about 350 miles. Along this attenuated shore there are no fewer than ten naval yards, an average of one to every thirty-five miles. On the Baltic, with a coast line 850 miles in extent, Germany has nine more naval ports raising the total to nineteen on a coast 1200 miles long. It was announced some time ago that it was* the intention of the German Admiralty to transfer the headquarters of the high sea or active battle fleet from Kiel to Wilhelmshaven. The three new docks — all capable of accommodating a Dreadnought — required to fit Wilhelmahaven for its new duties were all begun in 1905-6. At tho same time, a new torpedo harbour has been built, while dredging operations are continually in progress in order to overcome the ob stacle presented by the shallow depth of the Bay of Jahde. The number of men employed at Wilhelmshaven is st present fewer than 8000 (says the London Daily Express). In a few years, it is estimated that they will have increased to 14,000. Nearer to England than Wilhelmshaven great developments are in quiet but steady progress, fimden — as was first announced — is being transformed into a first-class torpedo base, with floating docks and depots. Heligoland is the island of which the Kaiter said, when it was transferred from Britain to Germany in 1890 (without the opinion of the Admiralty being asked, by the way), that it was "destined to be a bulwark towards the sea, to offer protection to the German fishers, a support for German ships, a strong place in the German Ocean against every enemy who may show himself there." This island, together with Cuxhaven, protects the port of Hamburg. Connected with the naval preparations of Germany is the extension of the Kiel Canal, which is to be so widened as to allow two large or three small ships to pass without any inconvenience. This work is to cost £10,000,000, and is to be completed by 1915.