THE NAVY SCANDAL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 246, 10 July 1908, Page 7

THE NAVY SCANDAL.

' ANOTHER SIGNAL.

QUITE CORRECT TQ DISOBEY." TALK OF RECONCILIATION. (bt telegraph—press association—copyright.) London, July 8. With regard to the disobeying of an order from tho Commander-in-Chief of tho Channel Squadron (Admiral Lord Charles Boresford) by tho Commander of tho First Cruiser Squadron (Rear-Admiral Sir Percy Soott) —which signal, according to a correspondent of "Tho Times/' would liavo led to a collision—further details are published in tho " Standard." Tho "Standard" states that Admiral Beresford inquired wliy Sir Percy Scott had disobeyed his signal, and was informed that it might have been dangerous to have carried out tho order. Admiral Beresford then signalled, "Quito correct to disobey." It is generally hoped that this incident will lead to reconciliation between tho Admiral and tho Rear-Admiral, and will thus terminate a naval scandal. PRIME MINISTER SPEAKS. , WILL TAKE EFFECTIVE ACTION IF NECESSARY. ( (Rec. July 10, 2.20 a.m.) London, July 9i ,In the House of Commons, replying to Lieut. Bellairs (Liberal momber for King's Lynn), the Prime Minister, Mr. Asquith, said that, apart from unverified rumours, tho Government had no knowledge of alleged dissensions among senior naval officers. If tho Government discovered the existenco of a state of things in anyway detrimental to discipline and the Smooth working of, the l fleet, thoy would not hesitato to tako prompt and cffectivo action. The. direction of naval policy rosted with the Government. It was a naval officer's duty when on active service not to discuss or criticise. ' SCENE ON THE FLAGSHIP. The punishment to which Roar-Admiral Sir Percy Kcott (without, it seems, being asked for an explanation) was subjected, last November by Admiral Lord Charles Beresford, Comman-der-in-Chief of tho Channel Fleet, consisted rif boine ordered to attend Admiral Beresford's flagship, . the battleship King Edward, whore the censure signal was read tn him: Tn this ■signal, Admiral Beresford- stated that "the signal made by the liear-Admiral commanding First Cruiser Squadron, is contemptuous in tone and insubordinate in character; (ho,. Rear is to issue orders to Good Hope (Sir Porcy Scott's flagship) and Roxburgh (one of tho cruiser squadron) to expunje this signal from their signal Injs, and to report to mo by signal when niv orders have been obeyed." . An account of the scene on Admiral Borosford's.'flagship states:—Sir Percy was ordered to report himself on board the King Edward in frock coat and sword. Here lie fonnil Admirals Ciistanco and Foley, as well as Lord Charles, (oget)ier with their staffs. The staffs were ordered to fall back out of earshot, and t.hey lined around the oft 12in. turret. The throe Admirals olone walked slowly right aft to the ensign staff and stood Before them stood Sir Percy Scott, at attention. A dead lnish fell ovnr the spectators. v Lord Charles Beresford produced'n ponor. Hi? voice could just faintly he heard above, the Inn of th« wnvns agoinst the. ship'* sides. The word? could not be. disKnirtiished, but it was the famous genera! signal that was being read to Sir Percy Scott." i , ■ ' i