The Daily News. MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1916. THE NAVAL BATTLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 June 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1916. THE NAVAL BATTLE.

Although there is a considerable quantity of cabled news concerning the naval battle off Jutland, the details are not yet sufficiently clear and coherent to permit of an accurate estimate being formed of the result of the encounter. It would be unwise to advance any definite opinion as to the relative merits of the opposing forces, or to do otherwise than await a clear and authentic account of what took place. Under these circumstances we advise our readers to be neither pessimistic nor optimistic. There have been serious losses on both sides, aifd in any naval engagement of the present day this must be inevitable.- Whether it is the British or the Germans that have suffered the more heavily is not yet ascertainable, nor need it be discussed at this juncture. Naturally, the Germans claim a great victory, their version being that the German fleet met the considerably superior main portion of- the British Battle Fleet, whereas the contrary is the case,- the story 7 it is stated, being invented to satisfy the German public. Apparently what occurred was that British destroyers opened fire on a large German fleet and then withdrew under heavy fire. Then appeared on the scene a squadron of British battle cruisers and light cruisers. According to the High Commisisoner the cruisers were supported by four fast battleships, but whether the latter accompanied the cruisers or came up subsequently is not clear. It was on this squadron that the whole strength of the enemy was concentrated, and immediately the battleships of the British Grand Fleet were discerned by the enemy they raced for the shelter of their strongly defended pr.rt. To all appearances the battle was fought under conditions favorable to the enemy, they having the opportunity of ladly mauling the cruiser squadron before the British Battle Fleet appeared, this will in some measure account for the .damage and loss our vcsSels suffered, but that they gave a good account of themselves is evident by the losses they inflicted on the enemy. Although our losses are serious, it is some consolation to know that .none of our battleships or light cruisers were among the victims. We cannot but regret the loss of such useful battle cruisers as the Qoeen Mary, the Indefatigable, and the Invincible, and all we can do is to set off these against the known or believed losses of the enemy. We should by all means avoid undue pessimism, for which there is no justification. It will be seen by the cables that when the news first reached London it was received with something like dismay, but when the details were published by the Admiralty a, better impression prevailed. The great important fact whereon our attention should be centred is that the British Battle Fleet remains to-day in all its magnificent power, as is clearly demonstrated by the flight of of the enemy at its approach. It is claimed that nothing has occurred to affect in any degree the hold our Navy l'.as exercised for two years upon the ocean commerce of the world. We can take our loss of ships with philosophic calm, while sincerely deploring the great sacrifice of life, and the large proportion of officers whom it will be difficult to replace. They fell, as our naval heroes are prou3 to fall, in doing their duty to their country. The Empire honors and laments these brave

officers and men whose loss will surely serve as a further stimulant to our forces on land and sea to put forth their utmost powers in defeating the enemy. There can be no question that the units of our cruiser squadron fought with the utmot pluck and determination a greatly superior force of the eifuiy. It was. the Germans who ended tho battle by racing for port, and it was the British who pursued, so that there is no difficulty in deciding to whom the honors of the clay belong. We shall, liL'wever, be in a far better position to count honors when the full details are available, meanwhile it is prudent to suspend judgment, and be content with the undisturbed supremacy of Britain's mighty Navy, The latest cables cannot fail to inspire the utmost confidence in its fighting power and resourcefulness.