London, Oct. 16.
Although it is admitted that the sinking of the battleship Royal Oak is a keen blow, newspapers here today emphasize that Britain's great war effort at sea cannot but be attended by such blows.
"The Times" says: "Who would wield the weapon of sea-power must be prepared to pay the price. This price is the loss of time, valuable Ships and their still more valuable men. The nation will mourn the loss of the gallant ones, but will not Urge them to avoid risks that with the performance of the Navy's duty."
"The effect upon Britain of such losses" the "Daily Telegraph" says, "has always been to confirm her position in the Empire and stir her men to fresh efforts to ensure that their comrades had not died in vain." The "News-Chronicle" says "the courage and determination with which we face these blows is a measure of our ability to win through to victory" The "Daily Herald" declared: "The Royal Oak is gone, but the strength and success of the British Navy are greater today than ever before."—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.