JELLICOE'S REMOVAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 146, 9 March 1918, Page 7

JELLICOE'S REMOVAL

HEATED PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE

PRESS ATTACKS DENOUNCED

London, March 7. In tho House of Commons, the Right Hon.(George Lambert (a formor Civil Lord of the Admiralty), criticising Lord Jelliooa's, removal,, asked if Sir Edward Carson had been consulted as a member of the War Cabinet.

Sir Edward Carson interjected'. Certainly not.

Sir Edward Carson subsequently slated: "Over and over again while I was First Lord of the Admiralty, pressure was put on me to remove certain officers, including Lord Jellicoo, but I resisted the pressure." Sir Edward Carson- denounced the malignant Press attacks upon officers. The country should understand that these attacks weakened the whole administration. It was_ impossible to expect men like Lord Jellicoe to do their duties under the attack of some wretched rag of a newspaper. "I do not know the reason for Lord Jellicoe's dismissal," said Sir Edward, "but 99' per cent, of the members of tho Fleet had. absolute confidence in him. Personally. I regard his dismissal as a national calamity. Lord Jellicoe is the greatest living sailor. It will be an outrage if ho rc-inains unemployed." The First Lord of the Admiralty (Sir Eric Geddes) was flouting not only Lord Jellicoe, but the Navy.

Admiral Sir Hedworth Meux said the attacks on Lord Jellicoe- were due to sheer ignorance.

Sir Eric Geddes, in replying, said he did his best to stop the Press attacks. He regretted if ho had conveyed the Government's decision to Lord Jellicoe in such a way as to hurt his feelings. He still hoped to make use of . Lord Jollicoa's great gifts.

Mr ; . Bonar Law, later, intervened in the debate, and said he had the greatest admiration for Lord Jellicoe 1 s ability, but the position of the First Sea Lord was vital to the public safety. Tho principle in the Public Service was tnat tho First Lord was responsible for those serving under him. Mr. Bonar Law continued: "In this case Sir Eric Geddes informed Mr. Lloyd George of tho proposal to dismiss Lord Jellicoe, and asked for tho Premior's approval. I chanced to be'in the, room, arid was also consulted. S!ir Edward Carson would also have been consulted if ho had been in the building." Sir Edward Carson interjected:'' T would have given very good advice.' Mr. Bonar Law continued: -It is possible that. Sir Edward Carson is right and.Sir Eric Geddes wrong, but while Sir. Eric Geddes is retained as First Lord his advice alone must be followod. :

Air. Reginald M'Kenna interjected: Sir Eric Geddes said it was the Government's decision.

Sir Eric Geddes replied: When Mr. Lloyd Georgo accepted my advice, I thought it became the Government's decision. ' \ .

Mr. Bonar'Law, resuming, said that Sir Erie Geddes found the task of dismissing Lord Jellicoe so disagreeable that he said ho would gladly get other employment, whether right or wrong. Sir Eric Geddes believed he was actr ing in the best interests of the country. Mr. Bonar Law added: "Mr. Lloyd George assured me privately : that he had nothing to-do with the Press campaign against Lord ' Jellicoe."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

\ THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRESS

PREMIER TO MAKE A STATEMENT. (Req: "March 8, 11.50 p.m.)

London, March 7.

In the House of Commons, replying to Mr. A. Chamberlain, Mr. Bonar Law announced that the Premier would make "a statement on Monday on the Government's connection with, the Presi, when the matter would be debated. The Premier would doubtless refer to Lord Jellicoe.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asm.