TWO WEAK POINTS OF POLICY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2944, 2 December 1916, Page 8

TWO WEAK POINTS OF POLICY

Sir,—As tho oversea Dominions will, | of course, havo a considerable "say" in tho sottlomont of affairs after tho war, and also in tho Imperial post-war policy, it behoves everyone to observe carefully what is going on at this critical junoturc; and it scorns to me that wo lltvvo a, right to foel considerable apprehension as to (1) tho policy now bcinopursued m regard to Greece, and (2) the now administration of the Royal Navy* It is not so much in a critical spirit that I make tho suggestion, as from a' desire to hear what, may bo said m justification of tho policy now bela? pursued in these matters. It is not for us to offer foolish criticism of measure;, without.being fully acquainted with tho. circumstances, but it is competent for us to discuss them from tho standpoint of common sense and "patriotism. Tho .shilly-shallying that has gono on in connection .with Ureoco and its contemptiblo sovereign, certainfy calls' for explanation. Why was not Constantino treated as a hostile sovoreign and imprisoned, and why' were not the guns of tho Allied warships trainod upon Athens, and steps taken to secure tho Allied forces against treacnerous attack, and to set them free to operate- against tho enemy in the Balkans? One cannot help thinking that this undecided policy will cost' moro lives' 'than would havo been sacrificed under peiemptory • action ; and one wonders what tho lamented Lord Kitohenor would have done had he been" appointed Dictator in this matter! . Tho appointment of Mr. Balfour to a position of authority in tho Navy seems;' to havo been quite a mistake The wonder is how any better rosult could havo been expected to follow. It would havo been just as wise to havo appointed tho Astronomer Royal ■ Commander-in-Chief of tho British Army. I yield to none in admiration, oven reverence, for Mr , Balfour in his literary and philosophical role, but as Admiralty chief one cannot think of him with' patience. Sinco Van 'i'romp carried tho broom at his masthead and sailed up tho English Channel, nobody has dared to iiisulfc our premier service till tho German rags the other day jeered at it, after the ' Huns had mado a raid in the English Channel.' Our hoarts must go out to Jellicoo and his colleagues under tho ciroumstanocs. AVe have to put up with military mistakes and incompetence-, but the more whisper of such in connection with the Navy is intolerable. —I am, etc., BRITON. [Since our correspondent's letter was written changes in the Admiralty have been announced which should lead to a moro active policy than has been pursued of- late.]