Our Latest Sea Victory.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 3, 18 December 1914, Page 2

Our Latest Sea Victory.

QUITE a thrill of joy ran through the Dominion on receipt of the news of-the naval victory off Falkland Isles. Even the excitement of Election Day was not uufficiont to overshadow the delight which was expressed on all sides when it became known that three of, the enemy’s ships had been sunk. One remarkablo thing, in connection with this victory is that no one seems to know what British ships were engaged in the fight. In fact, the whole affair comes as a surprise. The German ships were sup posed to bo in the Pacific Oceandodging the Australian and Japanese fleets, while in reality they were in the Atlantic, pro's , Liably making for the southern trade routes between the Indian , and Atlantic 00-im, while tho Admiral of the British Fleet was supposed to be at Whitehall. It would appear that tlie British are at last learning that it does not pay to advertise in wartime, and the result of the secrecy observed in this last naval movement amply justifies the new methods. Another thing with regard to these modern sea battles is the awful destruction and loss of life which occur each time. In olden days, when the captain of of a vessel saw that it was hopes less to continue fighting ho would li very often sturender in ordei save the lives of his crew, but. j 'now, it seems tire proper thing for all hands to go down with q the ship. No doubt, in these days of powerful guns an 1 high - explosive shells," there is always a fighting chance of do Graying : the enemy if only a shot dan be got home in the right spot, and as, after all, the bhj ct in fightling is not to save oneself, but j rather- to destroy Mu enemy, the “ Commanders are justified in keeping up 111 -ir lire so long as the guns are w >. ktible. Evens), it would appear that -Jin some .of tin battles a great ij deal of bitterovss is shown, and Si the tight ha . often been carried • von with a fury and relentless- L , I ness that would make it ■tel Ia l iv. wo