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Hokitika Guardian, 10 January 1925, Page 2

Thk controversey with regard to .Jutland promises to he renewed with fever heat again as a result of Sir Reginald Bacon’s contribution to tbe literature bearing on the matter. Tbe new work on file subject amounts to a defence of I.ord Jellicoe and a direct attack against- I.ord Beatty. The charges against the latter culminates in an ac-

cusation of a ‘‘failure in chivalry,” by the fact that .Lord Beatty abstained from offering to instruct public opinion when Lord Jelliooe was being unfairly criticised—and land Beatty possessed the knowledge to defend his chief. 11 this be true, it is a more serious charge, man to man, chan as against Lord Beatty as a naval commander, and on this point we may expect some rejoinder from Lord Beatty. As to the general criticism directed against Lord Jcllicoc by the arm-chair critics it always seemed they were ready to blame wliole-heartedly without ally reservation. If this criticism were put forward to hide the faults of others then it is a deplorable position, and ns Sir Beginald Bacon remarks the matter will never be forgotten or forgiven by the Koval Navy. Lord Jellieoo's part in Jutland may best be gun god bv the demeanour of the personnel of the ■Royal Navy who served with him. shared the dangers, and participated in the glory. They praise Lord .7 el I i roc to the highest and appreciate his leadership. Greatest kudos perhaps has boon given laird Beatty officially, hut of the two great commanders Lord Jcllieoe is the more popular with the Navy, and we believe with the public as a whole. In the face of all criticism Lord Jcllicoc preserved a dignified attitude, shirking nothing, but clearly explaining the grip lie bad of the position. It was a unique situation, and may never occur again. In this novel and all important crisis. Lord Jcllicoc fought for safety, which was the wisest course to pursue looking to the circumstances and all involved, had safety liecu thrown to the winds. Jutland was a notable event and history will recount the incidents with varying details, but always with a fine appreciation oi Jellieoo’s masterful leadership.

TIIK Brownlie incident in the final All Black match in Knghiud while regrettable, has lmd its compensations, not the least satisfactory ol which is the notable spirit of English sportsmanship expressed from the Prince of Wales downwards in reference to the occurrence. According to the cables, there is no direct evidence of an actual oifeiicc at tile time Brownlie was ordered off. Earlier in the game there was

the necessity for a warning. "What the referee saw later is not clearly expressed. Bather would it appear that Brownlie brought down the wrath of tile referee on the .spur ol the moment when “answering hack.” It is conceivable that both teams were at a tension. and the referee was quite right to keep a tight rein on the players. It would seem that lie jumped to a coilelusion as to some ollence by Brow nlie, and when the latter spoke back, probably heatedly, denying the charge, the referee used bis omnipotent powers by ordering tin* player oil. No English player admits being -truck at the time, and there is nothing tangible to show that any offence was made. But the referee saw some illegal act was performed, and lie attributed it to Brownlie. It is conceivable in the circumstances that the All Black was a victim of cireucstances. and we surmise from the subsequent press comment that this is being realised at Home, and there is a desire to forget the unfortunate incident. Tin- defection of Brownlie from the ranks of the placers and the fact that tlie fourteen men remaining, though they had their combination completely upset were able to win handsomely. emphasises the strength ol the All Black team. Without the disconcertion of the Brownlie incident, the All Blacks would assuredly have made a more pronounced victory of the match, the result of which from the outset was regarded as a foregone conclusion. Such being the case the All Blacks would u<>t set out to do delilieratclv anything unfair, and least of all in the initial stage ol the game. But they would lie expected to play a hard, strenuous game. Brownlie would be placing siicb a game naturally. and (he referee might momentarily have taken vigorous plav for roughness, hut the fact that there was no English victim to produce at the moment, clearly exonerates Brownlie and suggests that in mistaken zeal the reL'i'cc made a mistake. In the circumstances the incident might well be lorgotleu. though it hardly will.