WILL THE GERMAN FLEET COME OUT?

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 266, 13 April 1917, Page 4 (Supplement)

WILL THE GERMAN FLEET COME OUT?

Will the German fleet come cut anU fight? Rear-Admiral Fiske, retired, fnromost cf American naval authorities since the death of Admiral Mahan, is of opinion that it will. According to reports to hand by this week'a mail, Admiral Fiske looks forward as the certainties of the near future to s great naval action between the British and German fleets. He does not conceive it possible that the war can eomu to an end without this, and Lelieves that the time is near for the great German fleet to com© out of its long ratirement, mnke a last desperate challenge of the British fleet and endeavour to open once more the German ports-, so long sealed by the British blockade. His theory is plausible, at least. Tho great German fleet is practically in tact. It must have been added to largely, since the outbreak of the war, in other directions than the building of submarines. There has been no uso of the German ship-building plants for private construction, for Germany has no chance to use her existing merchant marine, so the entire power of Germany has undoubtedly been used for naval construction. On the theory that Germany is being pressed back and must face the possibility of final defeat, it would seem imperative, "he thinks, that before the end comes the whole weight of the German naval strength must be used in tho attempt to destroy the British naval supremacy. r Tie German fleet would be practically useless at the end of a crar which ended wit'.i an overwhelming defeat of Germany. With her colonies permanently lest and her overseas trade destroyed, a fleet would have little value. Further, in the event of the overwhelming defeat of Germany, her fleet might be seized and added to the strength of the Allies. There is this further consideration, not referred to ly Admiral Fisl e, but suggesting an early sea fight, and that is that Germany, recognising the practical cer tainty of wai with the United States, may elect t > make the attack upens the British fleet before there is a. ciiance that to it might be added the entire strength of the American navy. The world's greatest na"al battle may be forthcoming. Seme naval authorities at all events tbink so.