NAVAL RAID

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLV, Issue XLVIII, 18 December 1914, Page 4

NAVAL RAID

I IT seems clear ; from information (available that the recent activity'on the ' part of a few .German vessels was simply I something in the nature of a naval raid, : undertaken, in all probability, for the purpose of inspiring confidence in the : hearts of German p'eople, On land the i German forces have met with defeat I after defeat, and it is generally agreed [that only fear of the effect which might be created upon the German, people by such a retreat from France and Belgium, prevents the evacuation of most of tho invaded territory. Perhaps some such change is contemplated on tho western battlefield, and the dash to the British coast and the shelling of English towns have i been made to throw dust in the eyes of the German, people. At any rate it is clear that the raid has no strategical value, nor does it affect the main strategic position in the North Sea. The fact that such raids are possible may concern some people. But it has to 'be remembered that the German naval bases are no longer blockaded. It is the purpose of the British fleet to entice the Germans out into the North Sea. But there they must remain. Every effoit has been extended to make any breaking away to the Atlantic impossible. This must necessarily give German vessels some freedom of action, -which is all in the Britisli plan, and these raids should not be too seriously considered, however distressing they may be for the loss of life occasioned. This, it will he re membered, is the second exploit of this nature that has foeeii made. The German cruisers participating in the Lowestoft" raid wore unable to return. without serious loss. The conditions were similar, and dense fog is apparently an essential. The cruisers in retreating followed tho tactics predicted beforehand, th.at is to say, they dropped sub-marine-mines as they went. Later news arrived that the German armoured cruiser Torek (9350 tons) had been sunk by a British submarine. Not only do the. German cruisers have to thread their way through minefields but they have to avoid British cruisers and submarines, advised instantly the raiding vessels appear in sight of Britisli- scouting vessels or tho British coast. It will, therefore, be seen that whilst these raids, under the cover of dense fog, may be possible and more or less successful, the risks arc decidedly against the Germans; and

further, in view of the fact that the movements are. of no strategic value, it is reasonable to conclude that they are carried out .solely for political purposes. 'We are writing now on the news available, it may, of course, be found that the Germans have something more important in view ; but reasoning from past events, und from predictions by naval authorities, it would appear that the recent activities arc simply something in the nature of a naval raid, to inspire confidence in the sinking lv:ai-ts of the German people.