GERMAN NAVAL CRITIC ON RECENT ACTIONS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2389, 19 February 1915, Page 5

GERMAN NAVAL CRITIC ON RECENT ACTIONS

iWARNS HIS COUNTRYMEN. BRITISH "LACK STRATEGY" (Rec. February 19, 1.10 a.m.)/ . • London, February IS. Captain Persius (the German naval writer), in an article in the "Berliner : lageblatt," warns the Germans not to expect their fleet to give battle yet. He tats the unpalatable truth that such a prwedure is only couritng destruction, and rebukes those who speak of the . cowardice of the British' Fleet. He declaixes that it would be. self-deception not to admit that Britain's Navy on the whole has fulfilled its task of protecting its own i trade and that of .the ': Allies, and given safe conduct to transports.. j The writer adds: "But the leadership of the British squadron, as well as' the - training of the crews in the Chili fight showed a lack of strategy, and the Falkland battle was lacking in tactics, while in the North Sea fight the British wore guilty of bad manoeuvring." All this made him believe that it was feasible that the German fleet might .jet, deliver a successful attack. 4 LIQUOR AND THE'TROOPS , -o DEPUTATION IN Melbourne, February IS. A. large deputation petitioned the State Premier ' to: restrict the. sale of intoxicating liquor to members of the Expeditionary Forces by the earlier closing of the hotels." Sir A. J. Peacock replied that he had no power to alter the closing time, . and added that he thought tho abolition of the wet .canteens,,ibad a good deal to do with drinking in 'tho city by the soldiers. • OUTRAGES IN NAMUR MOTHER REPORT ON GERMAN - ATRO,CITIES. (Reo. February 18, 11.35 p.m.) London, February 18. The eleventh report of'the Belgian Commission details outrages in the pi'o-J vince of Namur, where nearly 2000 men, women, and children were massacred. In some parts half .the: male adult' population has disappeared. The supposed "Piano tireur" ■ (French; irregulars) war against the Germans is V mere invention.