WHAT HELPED THE HUN.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1919, Page 3

WHAT HELPED THE HUN.

ROAfiE, May 21. The Giornalc d’ltalia publishes an interview given to its Naples correspondent by Admiral Beatty who has been at Naples for a few days on board the yacht Shiela. In answer to a question, Admiral Beatty said that if the war had continued, 1919 would have seen the U-boat menace, almost entirely eliminated owing to the measures the Allies had in readiness.

He was greatly satisfied with the way in which tho campaign had been carried on in tbe Adriatic. The Italian Fleet had been on a level with its great traditions. The sinking of the Dreadnoughts Szcnt Istvaii and Viribus Unitis gavo proof in particular, of the bravery and daring of Italy’s sailors. Admiral Beatty declared that the jurpor-Drcadnouights, in his opinion, would retaiu their usefulness in future as squadrons of such vessels were quite necessary to gain decisive results from a naval battle. Battle cruisers of high speed will also be of great use. Their number will surely increase.”

The correspondent asked Admiral Beatty about the conduct of the German fleet at the battle of Jutland. He (answered that as a seaman lie must loyally acknowledge the enemy’s conduct of that battle. Tho German ships were well manoeuvred, their fire was exact, and the discipline of their crows steady. The smaller craft sacrificed themselves freely to secure the retreat of the larger vessels towards Heligoland. The enemy command, succeeded in saving the fleet from encirclement and reaching its base. “The enemy was enormously aided by favourable light and by mist, which prevented me from persisting in the pursuit. If the weather had been bright, despite the existence of‘great mine-fields and the nonarrival of big units of the fleet I would have carried on.”

Asked about the value of the German submarines in tho fleet action, Admiral Beatty said that few of them appeared duribg the Jutland battle. 0"o of them was sunk. They bad no effect upon regular development of manoeuvres or on tho discipline of tbo crews. No damage during the action could be ascribed to them. However, if submarines were used in large numbers and tonnage above 1,000 tons, some advantage might then l>o obtained from them in a fleet action. , Admiral Beatty concluded by paying tribute to the Duke of the Abruwii to whom was due the idea of netting the whole width oF the strait of Otranto, i afterwards carried out in co-operation by the British, French and Italians.