THE NAVAL WAR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17878, 26 August 1918, Page 5

THE NAVAL WAR.

CHANCE OF BIG FIGHT

GERMANY'S POSITION. (Received August 25, 5.5 p.m.)

.The "New York Times" Paris correspondent, interviewed Sir Franklin Roosevelt, Assistant-Secretary of this United States Navy, regarding the possibility of a naval battle. Mr Roosevelt said:—"Opinion is divided whither the Germans will bring out the fleet as' a final, desperate, forlorn hope, or conserve the battle fleet intact as a pawn in the peace negotiations. The Allies are more than ready if Germany brings out her fleet. Tho German fleet is not much stronger than in 1914, because Germany has devoted all her industrial energies to providing munitions for the army and to building submarines, rathor than strengthening the navy. Ino submarines are no longer a menace. but only an accidental danger iio ocean traffic. The Allies' effective devices have forced the U-boats to operate far'at sea, instead of near harbours, and have thus decreased their efficiency.

MOTOR-BOAT ATTACK. GERMANS DRIVEN OFF. (Received August 25 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, August 23. German motor-boats, attempting a reconnaissance outeide Dunkirk, were driven off., losing one boat. Tho Allies suffered no casualties. SUBMARINE CAMPAIGN.

A NARROW ESCAPE. NEW YORK, August 22. A British freighter iu American waters escaped from a U-boat. A torpedo, fired at close range, missed by twenty yards.