ADMIRALS AT VARIANCE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 October 1923, Page 1

ADMIRALS AT VARIANCE

AX I.\TKRESTLXG DISCUSSION. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION, LONDON, Oct. A lively debate declined between AdmiraL al the nited Service lilstitulieii, v, hen Admiral of the Fleet Sir Dnvetnn Siunloc lectured on the imliorianee oj Lal l l.wliips and cruiser*. Admiral Sir Perry Scott invited an open debate, lie said lie did nor want to ask the lecturer a question which lie knew he could not answer. Sir Dovctou St unlee. amid laughter, pressed for a question. Sir Percy Scott : “My question i• : What arc you going to do with your hat> lesliii is il mc go to war with France?” Sir P.iviton Sturdce: ‘•France is a (•lose ally. i do not think ir. wise to discuss t he mat ter lu re. ’ ‘ Sir Percy Scrut: ‘‘Thai is tele. I did not v ant to ask the question, but you would have it.” Sir Doveton Sturdce: ‘‘Your point is that battleships are of no use. I <;av the battleship is a reply to the battleship of any foreign Power.” Sir Percy Scott: ‘‘Why hul our battleships in the Mediterranean run from the submarines?” Sir Doveton Sturdce replied that the battleships were kept, off the enemy’s coast where there were submarines. Sir Perev Scott compared the Admiralty with ‘‘a silly mother who soul her children into the street when motor cars Merc dashing about.” Sir Doveton Sturdce asked Sir Percy Scott whether he was prepared not to build battleships when foreign .Powers were building them 1 Sir Percy Scott: ‘Wes. I will build something else instead.” When asked what he proposed P> build, he replied: ‘‘l will only tell ike Admiralty that, and T do not think it likely they will ask me.” Sir Doveton Sturu..:- defended the Singapore naval base. Me argued that it was vital to the integrity of the British Commonwealth of Nations that means be taken to ensure that their communications should not tie severed.