SEA POWER.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 18, 16 October 1907, Page 7

SEA POWER.

GREAT CONCENTRATION OF SHIPS.

TACTICAL EXERCISES. HUNDRED VESSELS IN NORTH SEA. DY TELEGKAriI—I'ttESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. London, October 14. The -lore division of tho Homo Fleet combines to-dny with tho Atlantic and Channel Fleets (Admiral Lord Charles Borcsford's command) for four days' secret tactical exorcises in tho North Sea. Then thcro will bo a lengthy study of tho problem of torpedo attacks and dofeneo. It will bo the first time for fifty years that one huivlred warships havo concentrated in the North Sea. "SPECTATOR'S" CRITICISM. Tho Noro squadron of the Home Fleet— which squadron has combined temporarily with the Atlantic and Channel Floots—is supposed to consist of six battleships and six cruisers. Tho selection of tho Dreadnought as flagship at the Noro has boon strongly criticised- by the " Kxprcss," on the ground that her draught does not permit her to go there. In ,in article published in June, tho "Spectator " wrote:—

"Our 'naval position to-ilay is such that if wo received from Germany, or any Power equal to her in strength at sea, a sudden declaration of war, followed by immediate action, tho situation would bo one of, grave peril. "Wo venture to say .without fear of contradiction, that the Hoot, or rather we must ciill it the body of ships, upon which tho naval security of these islands now depends —that is, the Channel mid Homo Fleets combined—does not in tho true sonso fulfil these conditions. The Channel I'leet is too weak, and the Homo Fleet is only ' practically ready.' "Tho float which must receive the first shock—that is, tho Channel Moot—is not a fleet of all arms in tho true senso. . "If, after applying tho tests to our naval forces in home waters, the Cabinet apply similar tests to tho Gorman high sea ileet, it will, wo believe, be found that though the Germans have in truth very much smaller naval resources than wo have, their high sea fleet is in a position fof immediate superiority, (1) because it is instantly ready, for action; (2) because it is concentrated; (3) because' it is constantly moving in company; (4) because it is under one snprcmo command ; nnd (S) because it is a fleet of all arms, of which tho torpedo' craft are an integral <tnd most important part—because, in a word, it is not a ' practically ready' but an instantly ready fleet, "For these reasons it is a. fleet which at tho moment is in a position to oyorcome tho naval force which wo could bring against it in case of a sudden declaration of hostilities followed by immediate action—action liko that taken by Japan at the outbreak of tho war with Russia. To argue that Gorraany docs not moan to attack us is idle.

"The present .condition of tilings has arisen because Sir John Fisher is, and hns tan (hiring the last two or three years, the possessor of uncontrolled authority over our Navy. Until a proper control is.oxercised over him, as over other servants of the State, by our rulers, and \iritil common sense and prudence are made to prevhil even over expert opinion, the perils which wo are pointing out mil continue. To bo quite plain, Sir John Fisher is one of those men whom predominant influence and absolute power render reckless. Power has gone to his head. _ "It is, of course,.notorious that Lord Charles BerCsford is alleged to be anxious, nay, alarmed, and convinced that life is not' in a position to do what he would bo called upon to do if we were subjected to a 'sudden attack. ,.