BRITISH NAVY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 20 February 1915, Page 5

BRITISH NAVY

ITS ECONOMIC PRESSURE ON ..GERMANY. . .

BEGINNING TO TELL.

' LdNDON; Feb, 18: Mr. Churchill, in the' House of Commons, said that the German army was not-more ready for "an offensive war on a gigantic scale than the British fleet was for national defence. '.. \" ;;_ " : " "Ifctßnxst. never : be "forgotten the srtrxatibnSn every sea was 'dominated r and decided: by the influence of Sir John Jellicoe's fleet. We 'do not-know at what hour Lord Kitchener may. ask the Admiralty" to move twenty thousand or even, forty thousand men. He does not know until "we tell him how we shall move them, and to what ports. "Onr plans are frequently changed purposely at the very last moment. Wo have powerful and flexible machinery to move whole armies with celerity wherever desired, and in a manner never before contemplated." •"Referring to the fight at the Dogger Bank, Mr Churchill said the conflict Detween the'-finest ships of both, navies vindicated the big gun armament identified with Admiral Fisher. * Mr Churchill added: "It is a remarkable feature that all our ships exceeded their previous records. Here is a squadron which had Been constantly at sea for six months, and,;. suddenly, the greatest trials were demanded of it, and the engines all excelled their peace-time records. "Admiral Beatty's action shows that at five to four in representative ships the Germans accepted, without doubt or hesitation, the ' fact of their inferiority. When, if ever, the great fleet sets out for general battle, we hope to bring into line a. preponderance, not of five to four, but •something considerably greater." Mr Churchill added: "There are good reasons to believe that the economic pressure which the Navy exerts is beginning to be felt by Germany." MINE-CLEARING IN THE NORTH SEA PLUCKY WORK BY SWEEPERS. • (Received Feb. 20, 8.45 a.m.) , "..;.-'--' TiONDON, Feb. 18. "An. Admiralty memorandum states that sweeping operations to the end of December were*-- a wonderful ' record' of pluck. The Germans. £ad laid extensive mine-fields off Scarborough. ' .« 'ln-;one case three mine-sweepers were blqyvn- up in 10 minutes:'. but the work continued.

NOTES TO AMERICA "THE ONLY ASSURANCE." (Received Feb. 20, 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 19. "The Times," in a leader, says it will be surprised if the German reply to America does not cause astonisment and emotion across the Atlantic. The reply does not give an assurance that American vessels will not be molested. The only assmaiice given is that • Germany is . immutably resolved to make war in her own fashion, and in contempt of all protests from Washington or elsewhere. The reply will hardly help to restore the sadly damaged reputation of Teutonic diplomacy. BRITAIN'S FRIENDLY AND REASONABLE NOTE. GERMANY'S BRUTAL ATTITUDE. LONDON, Fob. 18. American newspapers unanimously compare the friendliness and reasonableness" of Sir Edward Grey's Note with the brutal German attitude, and says that it has made a most favourable impression. (Received Feb. 20, 10.10 a.m..) LONDON, Feb. 19. Most British newspapers declare they will be surprised if Germany's Note is received -with satisfaction in America. Washington advices state that no newspapers have anything good to say for the Berlin decree, and its aftermath. It is contradictory and bullying, and it is also clear that the friendly but convincing reasonableness of the British Note, compared with the brutal ruthlessness of the German attitude, has created ' a favour-able-impression. . . "GERMANS MUST WAIT PATTENTLY." "GREAT IMMEDIATE RESULTS NOT TO BE EXPECTED." (Received Feb. 20, 8:40 a.m.) > LONDON, Dec. 19.

German newspapers are largely devoted to the prospects of the new piracy. Vice-Admiral Kirschoff warns Germans not to expect great immediate results. He. points out that England is adopting more effective measures for the defence of her coasts and harbours. She will eagerly search possible hiding places of 'German submarines, and organise a' better patrol service, -using many small craft. She is arming merchantmen, and is sending out submarines to make observations. Warships are convoying merchantmen, and all vessesl are linked up by wireless. England is thus prepared' to' contemplate .'.the future with calm' and security. Germany cannot immediately expect impossibilities, but ■must-wait patiently for gradual success. The German proclamation had already cauied general uneasiness, universal uncertainty, high insurances, desertion of crews, abandonment of regular services, and suspension of certain imports. SAFE ARRIVAL OF WHAKAEUA AND PAPAROA. (Received Feb. 20, 10.10 a.m.) LONDON, Feb, 19. Arrived—At London, Whakaruaj at Liverpool, Panaroa.