London, March 9 — The morning newspapers publish from their correspondents in Holland such detail as are available there regarding the recent activity of the German fleet in the North Sea. According to these accounts the fleet included about fifty craft of all descriptions from the most modern dreadnaughts down to old fashioned torpedo boats.
The fleet was escorted by two Zeppelins which served as scouts to prevent a surprise attack by hostile vessels. One trawler sighted this fleet 165 miles due west of the mouth of the Elbe. Another saw it 35 miles northwest of Ymulden. All the German ships were painted a war gray and were invisible at a short distance. Heavy clouds of smoke frequently hid them completely.
One Dutch trawler is Quoted as having made the following report:
“During the recent air raid on England a Zeppelin was seen scouting in advance of three cruisers and a fleet of destroyers and submarines, which were believed to have the intention of making a dash for English waters. The Zeppelin, however, made certain discoveries regarding the watchfulness of the British fleet and the German squadron hastily withdrew.
Harrisburg Telegraph, Harrisburg, PA, March 9, 1916