IS IT VICTIMISING?

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 647, 26 October 1909, Page 5

IS IT VICTIMISING?

THE NAVAL INQUIRY. BERESFORD'S FRIENDS ON, HALF-PAY. ADMIRALTY'S EXPLANATION. • (By Telcgraph.-Press Associatiou.-Copyright.) (Uec. October 25, midnight.) London, October 25. • Admiral Lord Charles Bisrcsford (wlioes charges against tho Admiralty administration' of tho First Soa Lord;- Sir John Fisher, were recently _ investigated by a Snb-Committeo of the Cabinet, whose i report was\ ngainst the Beresford charges) publishes a long correspondence with the Priaio Minister, -Mr. Asquith, In this correspondencn Admiral Berceford protested against the Admiralty's treatment of, officers who gave evidence in tho naval inquiry before the Sub-Commif;tee.' Ho cites the cases of Kear-Admiral F. 0! V. Sturdco and Captains A. R.'Hulbert ana. H. H. Campbell (nntil recently Assistant-Directors of tho Naval Inrolligeiico Department), and accuses the Admiralty of extemporising a, reorganisation involving a change of personnel with a view to ridding the, Admiralty staff, of his (Admiral Bercgford's) supporters. Admiral Beresford adds that fivo captainsdoclined to act as his chief staff officer in 1907 because they feared that their acceptance of that post would prejudice their futuro careers, •' Mr. Asquith, in' replying,! endows tho Admiralty's memorandum alleging tho necessity of the reorganisation of tlio Naval Intelligence Department, which had caused Captains ; Hulbert and Campbell to bo placed on half-pay. Mr, Asquith states that'ho can .'trace, no breach' of the undertaking that no officer's . career should be prejudiced owing to his 'giving 'evidence at the inquiry.