A GREAT NAVAL BATTLE

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1682, 25 May 1904, Page 18

A GREAT NAVAL BATTLE

British naval officers are craving for an engagement at sea on a grand scale, that is between “ships of the line” to use the old phrase. This is due to their desire to know what it would he like and how the men of Avar Avould behave. No one really knows. Two naval friends years ago Aver© discussing naval affairs. One of them had travelled on the Continent and had had ample opportunities of intervieAving foreign officers. He Avas giving his companion many details as to the fleets abroad, hut the insular man suddenly broke ill. “Can you tell me,” lie asked, “lioav these foreign admirals are going to take their fleets into action?” "No, my dear fellow. I can’t," answered the other, "and I tell you, betAveen ourselves, that they don’t seem to ltnoAV themselves, and, Avhat is more, I don’t believe our British admirals knoAV what they AA r ould do either.’’ This occurred some years ago, and. there are at least three British admirals noAV in positions of trust and responsibility who have quite decided Avhat they Avould do and how they would do it. The conditions of a big naval action betAveen fleets at sea avoulcl be extremely complex, and the chances of Avar much more difficult to foresee than those on land. In land Avarfare the conditions are usually defined. One knoAvs Avell the proverbial position. Your right flank is protected by a AA'Ood, your left by a river, and you have a marsh in front, if you are knowing. On the sea there are no “positions,” no kopjes, no nullahs, but only a Avaste.