Germans Elated; Americans Perturbed

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 244, 16 October 1939, Page 7

Germans Elated; Americans Perturbed

VULNERABILITY OF BATTLESHIPS Received Sunday, 9.20 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 14. The British Associated Press Berlin correspondent says special editions announce the sinking of the Royal Oak. The newspapers praise the prowess of their submarines and ask whether Mr. Churchill is yet ready to disclose the whereabouts of the aircraft-carried Ark Royal. They also emphasise the bitterness of the lesson to those who believe Germany can be risklessly starved out. The American Associated Press Washington correspondent says naval experts viewed the sinking of the Royal Oak as having more serious implications in the future than at present. If German submarines are able thus to trim further the British and French naval margin the sea blockade might be threatened.

The naval authorities are concerned over the manner of the sinking. Normally battleships at sea are safeguarded by a screen of light cruisers and destroyers in addition to their own armour. Whether the torpedoes were fired when the Royal Oak was anchored at sea is a question of importance to the Vnited States and common to all navies which consider the battleship tho backbone of the fleet. There are twelve United States battleships in tho Pacific which are of little more modern design than ihe Royal Oak although probably better protected. The sinking bore out Admiral Leahy’s testimony in Congress last year that a battleship can be sunk by torpedoes, shells and aerial bombs under conditions favourable to attack.