The Dominion. THURSDAY AUGUST 13, 1914. WHAT SEA POWER CAN DO?

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2227, 13 August 1914, Page 4

The Dominion. THURSDAY AUGUST 13, 1914. WHAT SEA POWER CAN DO?

Tee transport of British troops across tho waters separating, Great Britain from the European Continent in order to'assist the French and Belgian Armies _ in repelling■■ the German invader is a more convincing proof of the completeness of Britain's control of the North Sea than any numbor of verbal assurances. The Imperial authorities would never have dreamed of sending an expeditionary force, consisting of at least 100,000 men, to tho Continent until they' were absolutely sure that the British Fleet's mastery of the position was too secure to run the risk of being seriously challenged. The transport 'of a large force of this nature with horses and baggage trains, ammunition wagons, and ambulance equipment, is a great task in itself and must take considerable time, during which the Navy must bo able to s maintain unbroken the line of communication between Britain and Belgium. The Navy also must bo able to ensure the transport of reinforcements, if they, should be 'required, and. of food supplies. It : must have been an exceedingly bitter experience for Gormany to act the role of a passive onlooker while British soldiers were being poured into Belgium to oppose the passage of the German forces to the French frontier.: Germany's great battleships and smaller war craft lay almost within striking distance, yet not daring_ to strike. What Britain is now doing Napoleon was never able to do simply because he couldnot command sufficient sea power to control the waters which surround the British coasts. A naval authority has it down that "in default of an assured command of the.;.sea the fleet which seeks'to cover fin invasion is drawn by irresistible attraction towards the place'ofembarkation, and that the same attraction brings it there—if not'earlier— into conflict with the superior forces of the enemy." This rule does not at first sight seem to hold good when applied to Napoleon's attempted invasion of England; but the explanation of this is that "the disposition of the British Fleets was so masterly that Napoleon never got the opportunity he yearned for of bringing his fleets to the place of embarkation. They were outmanoeuvred beforehand .and finally overthrown _ at _ Trafalgar." Britain is able to do to-day what France could not do in the days of Napoleon because- the British Fleet is in undisputed possession of the North Sea. Germany can do nothing to interfere with the transport of British troops to Belgium, or to cut off their communications, 1 unless she is prepared to risk a great battle with the British Fleet. She does not seem to be inclined to take this risk just now, although it should always be borne in mind that many things may have occurred in the North Soa, which have not yet been made public. The commerce of the Empire is probably more safe at the present time than during any of the great, wars of the past, and the confidcncc of the Admiralty in .the power of tho Navy to keep t'rto trade routes open is a good indication thai-, whatever may have, happened, our North Sea Fleet, is master of-the situation. As long as this position continues the ports-of the United Kingdom, as well as those of France, will be 4ble to carry On their overseas trado, whila German

shipping business is practically at a standstill. During the war between France and Germany in 1870, the Germans were never able to . challenge the sea power of France, but tho valuo of French superiority on the water was lost owing to the suddenness and completeness of the triumph- of tho enemy on land. The French fleets had practically nothing to do. It is true that they crippled Prussia's maritime commerce, which did not amount to a great deal, in those days; but beyond that they ■took very little part in the war. Sea power was a much more important factor in the Crimean War. As a matter _of fact it would have been impossible for England and Franco to have invaded the Crimea if their naval strength had not been indisputable. The present war has deeply impressed upon the whole. Empire the vital importance of having an all-powerful Navy. The sea is Doth a, barrier and a pathway. Controlled by a superior fleet it is a ba'ririer /to. Britain's enemies, and a ■safe pathway for her friends; but if ever her naval supremacy should pass 'to some other Power tho heart of tho Empire would be exposed to attack, and tho very seas, which have protected Britain from successful invasion ever since the Norman Conquest, would become a. highway for her enemies.