PRESS AND PUBLIC OPINION

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2789, 6 June 1916, Page 5

PRESS AND PUBLIC OPINION

ADMIRALTY'S FRANK REPORTS PUBLIC TOLD THE WORST AT ONCE "London, June 4. Now that the scraps of noire can be ■ pieced together tlio public feeling is becoming steadily and increasingly reassured. It is indubitablo that the Admiralty's first communique came as a thu.ll- - derliolt to the vast majority of tlie population, and there was no disguising the alarm and anxiety which were pictured on nil faces on the receipt of the early news. Though the rumours abroad iii the city on Friday were discredited as an old story, and the public were caught unprepared, the Admiralty's first comnmn. iquo was roassuring in ono r«ipect— the public felt that it had been told ' tho worst. Indeed, there were many complaints that the Admiralty was giving the British case at its worst and tho enemy's at its best. Besides, tho public had no means of viewing the battle ill the proper perspective. s What was in the Wind? _ The later fragments of news seemed to indicate that the Germans were attempting some dramatic stroke, cither against, tho English coasts, or seeking to brcalc the blockade. They faiied, against Admiral Bentty's vigilance and gallantry. His battle-cruisers suffered heavily, bu>. successfully held up «. far superior enemy until Admiral .Tellicoe's battle-fleet had time to arrive. This view was quickly taken. Tho King's message to Admiral Jellicoo is universally welcomed as placing the battle in its true perspective. No I one attompts to minimise the serious losi of good ships and better men, but tho people are assured to find that, after all, the battle reasserts British naval supremocy, which tho Germans have not dared to seriously contest with our battle-fleet. The French Press and also Dutch newspapers declare that theresultcon be viewed broadiy as a British victory, since the British remain in undisputed of tho North Se<i and its exits. No Disaster but a Victory. A distinguished Admiral, on being in lorvioweti, said: "This has been the most brilliant naval action of the war. Admiral Beatty with fourteen capital ship* took on twouty-sevon of the enemy's ships, driving them back to port. There has been no disaster. It has been" a victory "