FRENCH PRESS OPINION.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 14195, 6 June 1916, Page 5

FRENCH PRESS OPINION.

BRITAIN'S REAL VICTORY.

STILL MISTRESS OF THE SEAS

FAILURE OF THE GERMAN BLOW.

BLOCKADE REMAINS IMPASS-

ABLE.

Paris, June 4,

The newspapers unanimously emphasise the importance of the British driving back tho Germans to Kiel, and interpret the result as a German defeat. Admiral Besson, writing in the "Gaulois," says: "I salute the heroic cruisers bearing the brunt of the battle against heavy odd's for ten hours."

M. Reinach, in tho "Figaro," states that JBritain is' stiJl sovereign mistress of the sea.

All the newspapers lay stress on the strategic situation, which- is unchanged, while the blockade remains impassable. That is the real test.

M. Pichon, writing in the "Petit Journal," says: "We are perhaps at the commencement of a series of inevitable and foreseen encounters which. England and the Allies have no cause to fear."

The "Journal" remarks that the German object was to overwhelm an important part of the British Fleet by surprise, but the blow failed.

"Le Temps," explaining the position of the British Fleet, says that it is hard for sailors trained for battle to patrol the seas unendingly, and only net a few dozen submarines. The British Fieet rightly adapted itself to the necessary conditions. At present it Is a war of preparation more than operation,.a war of government more than armies. Victories will be not only' to the bravest but above a;IF 60 the, most intelligent. The .blockade enforced as Lord Robert Cecil defined it is worth more than a naval victory. The British have Yon this, for tho blockade continues. We aro doubling our watchfulness in tightening the grip. This will suffice. ,