vantage of long
distances from fleet bases and the danger incurred in waters adjacent
to the enemy's coasts from submarines and torpedo craft.

The enemy, however, made no sign, and the admiral was reluctantly
compelled to the conclusion that the High Sea Fleet had returned into
port. Subsequent events proved this assumption to have been correct. The
British position must have been known to the enemy, as at 4 A.M. the
fleet engaged a Zeppelin about five minutes, during which time she had
ample opportunity to note and subsequently report the position and
course of the British fleet.

The Germans at first claimed a victory for their fleet. The test, of
course, was the outcome of the battle. The fact that the German fleet
retreated and nevermore ventured forth from beneath the protecting guns
and mine fields around Helgoland, demonstrates beyond dispute that the
British were entitled to the triumph. The German official report makes
the best presentation of the German case. It follows in full:

The High Sea Fleet, consisting of three battleship squadrons, five
battle cruisers, and a large number of small cruisers, with several
destroyer flotillas, was cruising in the Skagerrak on May 31 for
the purpose, as on earlier occasions, of offering battle to the
British fleet. The vanguard of the small cruisers at 4.30 o'clock
in the afternoon (German time) suddenly encountered ninety miles
west of Hanstholm, (a cape on the northwest coast of Jutland), a
group of eight of the newest cruisers of the Calliope class and
fifteen or twenty of the most modern destroyers.

While the German light forces and the first cruiser squadron under
Vice Admiral Hipper were following the British, who were retiring
north-westward, the German battle cruisers sighted to the westward
Vice Admiral Beatty's battle squadron of six ships, including four
of the Lion type and two of the Indefatigable type. Beatty's
squadron developed a battle line on a southeasterly course and Vice
Admiral Hipper formed his line ahead on the same general course and
approached for a running fight. He opened fire at 5.49 o'clock in
the afternoon with heavy artillery at a range of 13,000 meters
against the superior enemy. The weather was clear and light, and
the sea was light with a northwest wind.

After about a quarter of an hour a violent explosion occurred on
the