NAVAL ENGAGEMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21248, 19 October 1940, Page 7

NAVAL ENGAGEMENTS

DELAY IN REFORTS EXPLANATION IN BRITAIN DISTORTED ITALIAN STORIES (United Pre»* Assn.—Elec. Tel. copyright) LONDON, Oct. 17 Commenting on the fact that distorted Italian versions of naval engagements in the Mediterranean are usually available some time in advance of reliable British accounts, the Times says this is unavoidable. “Nearly all these engagements have taken place in close proximity to Italian bases in the central Mediterranean,” the Times says, “and, since they have commonly ended with the Italians returning at high speed to their fortified bases, the enemy has been in a position to get his account on to the wires and broadcast to the nation within a few hours of their conclusion. “On the other hand, the British Commander-in-Chicf does not usually arrive at his base until some days afterward, when the whole operation cm which he has been engaged has been completed. He could only give an account before that by sending a long wireless message while still at sea—a procedure which would be of assistance to the enemy. The public will be content to accept delay in the knowledge that, when a report is eventually received, it will contain facts and not fairy tales.”