The Dominion FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 1015. THE NAVYS SILENT VIGIL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2545, 20 August 1915, Page 4

The Dominion FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 1015. THE NAVYS SILENT VIGIL

— 4 ; A feeling of surprise was mingled with the concern which was felt throughout the British Empire when tho news arrived 'Of the sinking of the transport Royal Edward in the Aegean Sea. The.question, What was tho British Navv doing V' passed .through tho minds of many people like a flash. What gripped our attention for tho moment was the disaster, and it required a little thought to put us in a position to take a broad and balanced view. The real thing to be wondered at is not that a transport has been lost, but rather that out of hundreds of vessels; which have been carrying our troops across the seas and oceans of the world, only one should'have failed to reach its destination in safety. This fact is a magnificent tribute to the efficiency of the British Navy. The work and responsibility whLh tho fleet has had to undertake for the piotection of the transport service have been enormous, and tho fact that we have heard so little about this department of naval activity is' the best possible proof of its success. A few months ago Mr. Churchill reminded us that the situation in every sea is dominated and decided by the influence of Sir John Jellicoe's fleet. This is almost literally true. With regard to the transport of troops the plans of the Admiralty are frequently changed purposely at the last moment, and great difficulties havo 1 to be overcome. This silent power of the Navy is one of the most impressive features of the 'war. No one can gainsay Mr. Churchill's declaration that ''We have powerful and flexible machinery to move whole armies with celerity wherever desired, and in a manner never before contemplated." But the fleet has been doing its work so smoothly and unostentatiously that some of fts aro apt to forget how much wc owe to its incomparable strength and ceaseless vigilance. Britain's naval supremacy and all that depends upon itour trade and our safety—are regarded as a matter of course. We Ho no ssem to adequately raitliiifi what 'this security, whicn we take tov grant-,

Ed entails in thought and labour, anxiety and watchfulness, skill, n,ml endurance on the part of Admikai, Jellicoe and his gallant men. In the course of an interesting conversation regarding British Naval tactics, Admiral Mahan, the well-known American naval_ expert, remarked, shortly before his death:

You people in England do not realise the immense admiration felt all over the world—yes, and in Germany al6o, fov the British Navy. Speaking from my standpoint as an American, I tell yon that there is only one navy in the world, and that the others are mere striplings hj comparison. Ido not. mean to underrate the American ami other fleets, but by comparison with the British every other navy still has lnueli to learn. Whether the moral of the officers and men is as good to-<lay as in the time of Nelson remains to be proved, but, personally, I hold that the British Navy today, in all essentials, remains as incomparably superb as ever. So far as other navies are effective, they have modelled themselves largely on tho British ideal.

Everything that the British Navy has done since the-beginning of the present struggle goes to show that the moral of its officers and men is quite as good as in the days of Nelson. -The fighting spirit of the Navy is as keen as ever it was. New terrors have been added to naval warfare since tho battle of Trafalgar was fought and won, and Admiral Jellicoe has to bear a far heavier burden of responsibility than that placed on Nelson's shoulders. He has confidence in his men, and they have confidence in him. Our bluejackets are playing their part magnificently. They have been watching and waiting in calm and storm for over a year, and nothing would please them more than the opportunity of getting to grips with the main fleet of Germany. Will it ever come out? A winter in. the North Sea under war conditions— ready for action at all times—must have been an experience to test the courage and endurance of tho most seasoned and stout-hearted. But our seamen went through it uncomplainingly. Their enthusiasm is endless, and their cheerfulness is unfailing. They think little of their own perils, but are ever' anxious for the safety and well-being of friends at home. We do not hear much about the doings of the Grand Fleet. It is necessary to maintain the strictest secrecy regarding its activities. But a corner of the curtain is occasionally raised for a moment, and we get a glimpse of what is going on. The Archbishop of York recently enjoyed the privilege of a ten days' visit to the fleet at sea. It was a wonderful experience. In describing his impressions he stated that it seemed to him as if there was one word written on every ship and on every part of her, and on every man within her—that word was "Ready." The visit enabled him to realise the sacrifices which officers and men were making for their country. Referring to the "silent vigil in the Northern seas," the Archbishop said' it_ was impossible to describe the strain of waiting, yet in spite of all they were cheerful and splendidly fit in body and spirit. Friend and foe alike admit the might and efficiency of tho British Fleet.- A German authority on naval questions has "warned his countrymen that the hopes they expressed at the beginning of the struggle that Britain would cease to be mistress of the seas were based on somewhat fantastic foundations. "There has not yet occurred any significant weakening of the sea power of England as a result of the war." That is. the expressed opinion of'our enemies, but a still more eloquent tribute from them is to be found in the. care with which they keep their Grand Fleet sheltered behind the mine-fields and the forts of Wilhelmshaven and the Kiel' Canal.