THE NAVY AND WAR

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 60, 8 September 1914, Page 8

THE NAVY AND WAR

STRENGTH AND CONFIDENCE. CHEERFUL* FLEETS. ' "War, of course, would be greatly popular with the Navy," the Sydney Telegraph's London correspondent wrote at the close of July. "The announce,ment of hostilities would be good news ,to every officer in the fleet, and would be cheered by all hands on the quarterdeck. For once in a way, too, we have a, fighting First Lord. Mr. Churchill would be in his element. Indeed, it is doubtful if he could be kept on shore. He is probably the happiest man in England at this moment, and it is good to be able to write that men of all parties believe that he is fully to be trusted with his great office at this time of supreme test. Indeed, the whole Cabinet might well feel flattered at the expressions of confidence it lias had from the press and the people during the past few clays. "The Navy desires war because it is confident of success. Mr. Churchill arid his Admirals believe that they can easily overcome the piecemeal fleet which •would be put foiward by its adversaries. And the nation, as a whole, is ecjually •anguine. Everybody feels that if we

cannot beat Germany and her allies now, then God help us' in ten years' time! Then, apart from the national feeling, the Navy desires a war on technical grounds. Everybody interested in sea defence wants to see the Dreadnought tested. Countless millions have been expended in this huge new class of ship. And yet it has never been to war. Naval experts are intensely curious as Uo how the modern battleship will shape in action. An engagement lasting over a few hours will settle controversies, otherwise endless, as to the size of ships, the efficacy of the latest gunnery^ and fifty other questions. It is properly felt, too, that a weapon so extremely expensive and vital to the safety of the nation as the British Navy should not remain too long out of action. The Navy, as we know it to-day, lias never been tried out. Prolonged peace conditions impair the fighting capacity of the service. England has far too many Admirals who are strangers to bloodshed. Too much promotion by mere seniority or superiority under peace conditions is dangerous for a service which is responsible for the safety of the world's greatest Empire. A naval war would be expensive, doubtless, in both lives and ships, but, looked at from the point of view of the Empire as a whole, it would probably be the greatest boon we could have at the present time."