15 AUGUST 1914, Page 2

Of naval news there is not much, but we learn

that the Atlantic is now not only open, but, for all practical pur- poses, as safe for cargo ships as it was three weeks ago, and that the North Sea is actually opening. During the week cargoes of produce and also passenger ships have been corning in from the Danish coast in security. There was no doubt a certain terror about the mines, but people are beginning to find out that, with care and under proper direction, ships may move about a mined area with little danger. There will, of course, be accidents, but the sea is always full of perils from collisions, and we very much doubt whether, taking the whole shipping afloat, the risk has risen more than ten or twelve per cent.