WHY THE GERMAN FLEET IS WAITING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 717, 31 October 1914, Page 6

WHY THE GERMAN FLEET IS WAITING.

The English newspaper The Nation, discussing the reasons which prompt the German fleet to remain at its base in the Kie 1 . Canal, says:—lt is just conceivable that our battle squadrons and the German High Seas Fleet ' will never come into conflict during the whole war, and that it will continue to be an affair of destroyers, submarines, and mines. But it is barely conceivable. Germany has not Bpent all the millions on her ships for nothing. Nor would German naval men desire to remain always in shelter behind Heligoland. We must give credit to the German for his doctrine, and the doctrine of the offensive is universally held in Germany. The German Army believes in hitting, and hitting hard; the German Navy has the same bwlief Sooner or later, the High Seas Fleet will come out, and drastic events will take place in the North Sea. The opportunity is not yet. The nights are lengthening, but are still Bhorfc. When the Germans come out, the period of darkness must be long enough to let them get a great distance before daylight reveals them. Summer anti-cyclones, with their cloudless Bkies and crystal atmosphere, are the leaßt favourable weather for the Germans. By day even the periscope of a submarine is visible a great distance off; by night a chance spark from a funnel would be seen some miles away. With the North Sea as smooth and as still as a lake, the beat of a

screw or the crash of a hull through the water would be clearly audible five or six miles off. In a few weeka this halcyon weather will paes. Gales become more frequent every week. The period of fogs and surging seas is drawing nearer. Dark nights, misty days, and the turmoil of the seas are what the Germans are- waiting for. When they come and a chance of a sudden stroke presents itself, thtro is little doubt that the chance will be taken, and the thunder of opposnig guns will be heard in the North Sea. It should be remembered that the Germanß, though their ships are capable or" long-range fighting believe in the melee, and that they practica close-in tactics in their manoeuvre?. Mist is the most favourable condition for bringing about a melee action. Our object is to tempt them out, but they will not yield to any temptation.