The Daily News. FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 1918. BRITAIN'S SEA POWER.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 June 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 1918. BRITAIN'S SEA POWER.

Whatever may be the fortune of war on land, Britain's Navy is still supreme at sea, and can confound German plans by its superior power. It was only a few days ago that Captain Persius, the well-known German naval authority, reminded his countrymen that Britain was a serious opponent, one, moreover, who had "never lost a single war," but had triumphed at the end of every campaign. He scornfully condemned such statements as "Britain is aware that her sea power is gone if she experiences another Jutland Battle," and he, pointed to the fact that, despite the Jutland Battle, the German merchant flag was still banished from the seas. There should, at moments of anxiety over the outcome of military operations, be * great source of comfort and 1 strength at the recognition of <

Britain's main arm of defence being sufficient to win the war, even if all other means failed. Germany's U-boat campaign is, after all, mere guerilla warfare, though capable of inflicting much damage and destruction. Its limitations are obvious, as is demonstrated by the way in which America hast transported troops to the West front. Germany might even overlook Britain from the French coast, but her power would stop al the water's edge unless she could annihilate the British Navy. In the event of a military reverse Britain's sea power would come into Ml play, and its effect would at once be apparent, so that before Germany could ever claim a final victory, she would have tc overcome the force which is incal eulable to her generals. So long as Britain is Mistress of the Seas and the might of her Fleet untouched, so long will Germany fail in her object to crush the British. To the Dominions the full recognition of Britain's sea power should be a source of illimitable consolatiou, for thereby alone is their security assured and their trade possible. There was never a more marvellous proof of maritime command and efficiency than the fea of transport after the disaster to the Fifth Army nt. St.. Quentin. when, in a few days, 200,000 British troops were sent across the Channel without the loss of ; man. These things mean British and American resources of which the enemy even yet has not learned the full meaning, aud if lie wants to make this campaig decisive, the German fleet must come out and fight for it—it may. It is Britain's sea power that has impelled Germany to risk everything on the success of her armies. All hope of regaining the lost colonies, the lost trade, the means of feeding the people, and the obtaining of raw material for industrial purposes, is out of the question so long as Britain rules the seas, nor can the hated English be conquered and crushed so long as the British Navy exists. The best that Germany can now hope for is a draw, but both Britain and America, to say nothing of France, are out for a fight to a finish. There is no question that the launching by Germany of the present great offensive is actuated by other than military reasons. It indicates that the strongest pressure has been brought to bear on the military authorities to end the war. Their faith in submarines to bring Britain to her knees has gone for ever, and the terriblr, drain on her man-power is creating a feeling of hostility among the people of Germany towards the militarists. Behind all the difficulties that the Germans have to face in this tremendous gamble rides the British Navy in all its strength and power, proclaiming that Britain is unconquerable and can continue the war on sea until the enemy is forced to come to terms—such terms as will secure the world's peace.