THE NAVAL WAR

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 16821, 29 May 1919, Page 4

THE NAVAL WAR

WHAT MIGHT HAVE HjUPFSNED,

LORD JELLICOE'S OPINIONS,

Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. •v : ■ ■ ADELAIDE, May 27. , Lord Jeilicoe, speaking at a parliamentary luncheon in his honour, after detailing; the difficulties of dealing with the submarine menace, and the great work accomplished by the British Navy and the mercantile marine, said ■ho had very serious Anxiety m tho early clays as to what the result would be. He did his best, but did not hesitate to say that if the German submarines had been manned by Britishers not a British ship would have been left afloat. It was an extraordinarily easy task, and the way the Germans failed over it showed a want of initiative .and dash, which, to his surprise the German fleet showed throughout the war. There was never much anxiety regarding the Germans' surface fleet, but disguised raiders were difficult to tackle. If the Germans had liked they could have sent out hundreds. But, thank goodness, they failed.to realise how easy it was/. The lesson learned during the war was: simple: it was to be ready. We no doubt had long, years of peace before us, but he would nob trust the "destinies :of the Empire to anybody but the British navy, backed by the vafuable assistance of the* great overseas Doniin"ions. .:.''•.: '':.;,:■:■