The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, August 24, 1909. LORD CHARLES BERESFORD CRITICISED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 471, 24 August 1909, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, August 24, 1909. LORD CHARLES BERESFORD CRITICISED.

The most severe criticism of Lord Charles Beresford that has appeared for a long while past, is published in the Observer, a London Sunday journal edited with conspicuous ability by Mr J. H. Garvin (writes a Loudon correspondent). After referring to the way Lord Charles has nonplussed his admirer by proposing a programme of Dreadnoughts smaller than the present Government is prepared to provide, the Observer proceeds :—“lt is time to be plain, and to make an end of sentimentalism in this business. Under a strong sense of public duty, we have exposed the utter weakness and inconsistency of Lord Charles Beresford. We have resisted, without hesitation, the mob-clamor on behalf of a music-hall hero. We have laughed at the preposterous claims made on his behalf. We have admitted his pluck. We have denied his ability ; and we have prophesied his collapse. And we have done this not needlessly —for the task has been painful indeed to anyone who has ever liked him—but because his success would have meant the ruin of the Navy. Our view of him —figurehead rather than leader of faction in the Fleet—has been based upon the fact that Lord Charles Beresford can be turned inside out in any controversy whatever by any cool and resolute antagonist. He is eloquent, and he can be kind ; but he is a confused and superficial thinker. We gladly admit his past services, but the part he has lately played has been purely mischievous ; and it has exhibited all his defects. He contradicts himself in every utterance. He has not one atom of serious force and constructive ability. He is the very last man to be pitted against Germain thoroughness, whether in peace or war. It is our firm conviction that if he were at the Admiralty he would muddle its administration, and that if he has supreme command in action he would probably fail and lose the Empire. He would be remembered as the Sir Redvers Buller of the sea.”