The Daily News. MONDAY, MARCH 20, 1916. EXIT VOX TIRPITZ.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 March 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, MARCH 20, 1916. EXIT VOX TIRPITZ.

When the news of Admiral von Tirpitz's resignation was first made known it was received with a certain amount of doubt, mainly due to the various reasons assigned for the act, but there no longer appears to be any ground for not accepting the news as reliable. There can be 110 question that the departure ox the German Secretary of State for the Navy will cause the greatest anxiety among the German people, by whom von Tirpitz was recently idolised, and his services rewarded by means of a gigantic statue into which patriots hammered nails as a mark of honor. Whether his downfall is attributable to personal disagreements with the German Chancellor, Count Btrnstarff, the Kaiser, and Prince Henry, or is the result of the failure to make the submarine campaign a success is not clear, but It is quite likely that America's present attitude towards Germany has as much to do with von Tirpitz's retirement as his failure to perform miracles that were beyond the scope of his genius and power. Naturally the German authorities have hidden the real reason from the world, and we have the commonplace excuse put forward that von Tirpitz is suffering | from overwork and ani'iety, aggravated by the failure of his plans and by advancing years—sixty-six. It wa« in 1865 that he entered the German Navy as a cadet, and after thirty-two years service he became Secretary of State for the Navy. He seems to have been greatly impressed with the possibilities of the torpedo service which he did much to create, and it is the irony of fate that this service has brought aboui, or been a considerable factor in his downfall. The question that suggests itself to inquiring minds is in what manner will von Tirpitz's retirement affect Germany's naval policy both as regards the action of the Grand Fleet and the submarine campaign. It may be reasonably assumed that the resignation is an indication of admission by the German authorities that the submarine campaign was a complete failure so far as the war itself is concerned. It has been the means of sinking a number of unarmed vessels, including ships belonging to neutrals, but has been incapable of doing appreciable harm to the British or Allied fleets, while the number of i.ndfr-wnter craft lost has reached large dimensions,. According to recent rumors Germany's policy of frightfulness was to be considerably enlarged in the direction of practically sinking all vessels at sight, whether belonging to enemy nations or neutrals. Considerable speculation will take place as to whether or not such a barbaric scheme will be carried out, but the probability is that Germany will hesitate to enter upon such a dangerous policy now that President Wilson has straightened ont and stiffened the ldnk that was all too patent in his anatomy. Curiosity will also be aroused as to whether Germany's Grand Fleet will now be allowed to come out into the open seas and try conclusions with the British Navy. It. is quite conceivable that the German people have as great a faith in their navy as they exhibit in the case of the army, and that they are somewhat ashamed at its enforced idleness at Kiel. The Kaiser and his high officers, however, are supremely indifferent as to what the people think. In Germany, the vsice of the people is not the voice of God, the people being mere machines to execute the will of their masters, and to regard their Kaiser as infallible. Admiral von Tirpitz stands out as Me of the giants of his country, and though he has failed he tried to do his best according to his light. It was an odious task that lie undertook, but it was quite in keeping with the barbaric tactics which have characterised his country's land forces. It is probable that increased activity will be exhibited by the German navy in the Baltic, but the

present temper of Turkey may lead to very material modification of German plans. According to this morning's cables additional light is thrown upon tke report that the mines were being removed from the Dardanelles. It is reported from Salonika that a Turkisli newspaper records the tact that a Grand Council, including all the Turkish Ministers and several Senators, met last week to discuss tke terms on which Turkey will co-operate .villi the. Entente Powers against Bulgaria. Sueli a move, if true, taken in connection with the Turco-Gernian friction and the desire of Turkey for a separate peace would seem to indicate that Turkey is prepared to go to very great lengths to conciliate the Allies. It is hardly likely that any action Turkey may take will avert her ddom, but she may, by doing good service to the Allies at this juncture, secure more lenient treatment than otherwise. Germany's props seem falling one by one, and her internal troubles are commencing to smoulder. She is still strong a.nd has an enormous capacity for destrnetiveness, so that in lighting for her future existence she is sure to be desperate, but the. outlook for the Allies has never been brighter than it is to-day.