JUTLAND BATTLE

Hokitika Guardian, 7 January 1926, Page 2

JUTLAND BATTLE

COM. Al ENT ON VOX TIRPITZ’.S ARTICLE.

[Australia A N.Z. Cable Association.]

(Received this day at 9.30 a.m.' LONDON. January fi. Vice-Admiral Sir Cecil Lambert, reviewing exclusively in the “ Daily Express.” the pronouncement of Admiral Yon Tirpitz, cabled on January 3rd, says: “This is the most interesting pronouncement so far made on the battle, firstly owing to its source, and, secondly. because most naval officers will not dispute that in the main Admiral •Tirpilz’s account is true. I leave personal aspects which are of no interest to the public. The lack of success at Jutland was mainly due to the fact that ship for ship, gun for ,gun, and engine for engine, there was a higher standard of efficiency in the German Fleet than any British Fleet could claim. The great asset on which a British Admiral could rely at the outbreak of the war was the incomparable personel of his ships; otherwise it would have been a melancholy experience to find all the public money expended on an assurance that we were getting the best money and science could provide, had produced such meagre results. If we look for the cause, the probable explanation will be found in our obsession for secrecy by.the expert departments dealing with the technical details of ships and armaments. AYhatever the cause was, it was certainly proved that the German artillery and torpedo fire was of a higher standard than ours. Our guns lacked range and our torpedoes lacked accuracy of fire and efficiency of detonation. Our wireless had to he revolu- I tionised after war was declared, errors in ship construction had to lie remedied amid all haste and the expense of war time. So much for the past. Admiral Von Tirpitz will not have written in vain if he prompts the public to demand an assurance that these errors have been made good, not merely by a departmental assurance of Parliament, hut hv practical tests. Wo know the Admiralty can at present only send to sea five efficient cruisers after an expenditure of upwards of five hundred millions sterling since the Armistice. It is believed that such practical tests as the fleet has made since the war have not? provided assuran(je. It is time the cards were put on the table.”