SEA-POWER DECISIVE

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 36, 10 August 1918, Page 9

SEA-POWER DECISIVE

INFLUENCE AFTER THE WAR

THE TURN OF THE TIDE.

The necessity of keeping an eye upon the importance of sea power in the present conflict, despite the close attention claimed by the land battles, is emphasised by Archibald Hurd, the naval expert, writing in the Daily Telegraph on 22nd June.

"We have been apt during the recent offensives on the Western front," Mr. Hurd writes, "to overlook after-aspects of the war—notably the fundamental factor, which is sea power. For a period of fifteen months, during which our strength in ships has steadily declined, the downward tendency has now been definitely arrested. Not only is our-sea, power increasing, but our grip on the enemy is firmer than at any previous period of the war. "Seven million tons of shipping enter or leave- our ports monthly. Each ship is the target for enemy submarines, yet there have been days in the present week when the enemy has not secured a single ship. "Twelve months ago we were with difficulty maintaining one stream of traffic, namely, that which brought us food and material." To-day supplies are flowing through this main artery in greater volume than a year ago. At the same time another stream of traffic has started, and merchant shipping has been made available for the greatest transport movement which has ever beon carried out.

"For three months past American troops have been coming across the Atlantic by tens of thousands, far faster than at one time was thought possible. That means that the balance between the Allies and the Central Powers is being adjusted in favour of tho former

"Viewing tlie war in its various aspects, naval, military, and economic, we have every reason for confidence. The tide is distinctly turning, and turning, let us hope; for the last time. The submarine menace is being held. The Al lied armies are increasing in relative strength. The food position of this country, of France; and of Italy is improving, and shipbuilding both in British and American yards is proceeding at a great. !y accelerated pace. There is assurance that by" the end of December at least 4.000,000 tons will have been put into the water here and in the United States, and that figure may be considerably exceeded.

"On the other hard the enemy's sinkings of British and Allied tonnage'have been so considerably reduced owing tc the activities of the Allied navies and the courage- and the resource of thmr merchant seamen that it is practically certain there will bo a balance of ship ping on the right side> "In a word the relative naval, military, and economic strength of the allies is steadily increasing at a moment when the enemy is feeling the cumulative effeats of the blockade maintained over a period of nearly four years, with increasing stringency, and of the war on land, which not only has resulted in heavy casualties, but has drained the central powers of industrial workers."