In truth, the only thing that the Germans have done
has been to teach us how to get the mastery of the Zeppelin. This they have done most successfully. The exact methods by which this mastery has now been obtained is the secret of our naval and mili- tary authorities, and must not be canvassed in public. It is enough to know that the Zeppelin which crosses our coast-line is from that moment in serious peril Yet, and this from the German point of view is the tragedy of the whole business, the Zeppelins are bound to
go on raiding till the moonlight and the stormy weather give them a decent excuse for putting an end to their projects. To stop raiding because of their losses would be a confession of failure which they dare not make. No matter what the risk to their dwindling and disheartened navy of the air, and no matter what the attrition of the trained crews—remember, the provision of such crews is a matter of extreme difficulty—they must proceed as if all were going well. To shatter the illusion of the German public that they command the air, at any rate as far as the invasion of Britain goes, would, childish as it may sound, unquestionably shake the Imperial Government to its foundations.
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