THE GERMAN NAVY.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 April 1916, Page 2

THE GERMAN NAVY.

INTERVIEW WITH GERMAN ADMIRAL. The London Daily News and Leader of February 1 contains the following:— The wireless news issued from Berlin yesterday included ah interview by Karl Ackermann, the representative of the United Press with Admiral von Holtzendorff, Chief of the German Admiralty Staff. It was pointed out, says the interviewer, that in the House of Commons a member recently spoke about the secret construction of German warships and of the danger such ail increase would be for England. Tihe Admiral said: "The increase of our navy during the war and that'of England is about the same, but Germany's navy 'will never be a danger to England. It is our merchant marine which England fears. The fact that to-day this fleet is undestroyed and ready at any moment peace is declared to resume its peaceful trading is the one thing which causes the English anxiety. England does not fear the Germany navy. She fears America and the growing American navy." To the questisn what steps would Germany take against the new blockade, the Admiral replied: "Germany never tells beforehand what she will do. She waits till after it is done. We made every preparation long ago f#r such an emergency, and we view the planned blockade earnestly but fearlessly. We shall be victorious, that is the chief thing." I asked his Excellency, says the interviewer, about Germany's submarines, especially if it were true that more than 50 had. been lest. Von Holtzendorff s quick response was: "Not one-half of that number, not nearly one-half. The English think that because they lay nets and mines our submarines ave being trapped. Nothing | could he further from the truth. More ; than one submarine has gone through j, these nets undamaged. The fact that in less than a rear more than one million three hundred thousand tons of enemy merchant ships have been destroy- 1 ed by our submarines is sufficient evi-' dence of what they have done to destroy the commerce if England and her Allies." To the question, "There are many reports that a big naval battle may be expected. What can your Excellency say about that?" the admiral answered: "Only that the decision does not rest with us. We are always prepared."