Now that the British naval squadron which bombarded Genoa on February 9 has returned safely to Gibraltar a very successful operation has been brought to an end. In the course of the last five days the squadron based upon the Rock has swept more than a thousand miles across the Mediterranean into the Ligurian Sea, bombarded its objective and returned without let or hindrance from the Italians. And this in a sea over which the Italians claim to have control. Nor does it appear that the Germans with their largely advertised Stuka dive bombers took any advantage of the opportunity which was afforded them of giving another exhibition of their prowess, doubtless because of the severe mauling they have already received at the hands of the British navy, which after their first attack was able to sweep through' the eastern Mediterranean with a direct challenge to the German air force to come and have another try. There can be no other possible reason for the failure of the German air arm, and the Italian navy to take up the gauntlet which the British Navy so gallantly threw down save that neither was in a position to do much about it. The whole operation was the completest possible proof that the British still hold command over the Italian mare nostrum.
That no attempt was made to intercept ańd engage the British squadron corroborates the view that the damage done to the Italian fleet at Taranto was as extensive as the British claimed it was at the time. It must be either that, or because the Italian Navy like the army has little stomach for a fight, and prefers to skulk under its land fortifications rather than run the risk of more of that punishment which the British fleet has succeeded in administering to it. Thus the sea force of Mussolini appears to be as completely immobilized as damage and fear can make it, and while it would be foolish to claim that it is still not a force to be reckoned with, the fact is plain that so long as it is handled as it is now, its offensive and defensive value must indeed be small. A fleet which cannot, or will not take action to defend the shores of its own country cannot in such circumstances amount to much.
The British Navy which has from the commencement of the war been covering its laurels with imperishable glory is commanded by men who are prepared to take reasonable risks. That has been the story of every naval engagement which it has fought in this war. The expedition to Genoa was, therefore, no exception to the general rule, and though the Gibraltar squadron went trailing its coat through the Mediterranean for at least four days the Italians apparently thought the risk too great in seeking to bring them to combat. In this connection it is to be noted that Domei carries a report to the effect the Italian Press claims that the British units avoided battle, and that when the Italian fleet steamed out of Genoa, while the British were bombarding it, the latter shunned an engagement being "satisfied with murdering the city population." There is a singular admission in this claim which deserves consideration. If the Italian fleet were in the port of Genoa the latter was indeed a proper naval objective. As a naval base it would have been if the Italian vessels had not been there, but when it is claimed that the Italian fleet steamed out with its much boasted speedier vessels it follows that the reason why no engagement resulted was because the Italians did not desire one.
With e modern flee* noted for its speed, Italy should surely have been able to bring the British squadron to book, and the fact is clear for all to see that the damage which the British have inflicted upon the Italian navy, when it has been atle to get close enough, has induced in the Italian Navy a preference for fighting with words rather than engaging in throwing hot metal. It may of course be asked why the British did not stay and accept battle. There is no evidence save the preposterous claims of the Italian press, which has all its work cut out to explain the constant failures of the Italian forces, that the Italian fleet moved anywhere at all save under the protection of the Italian land fortifications, and no matter how patiently the British would have waited, the only chance of giving battle would have been if the Italians came close enough to do so, and that the history of past months has shown to be the last thing they wish.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.