LORD FISHER AND THE NAVY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1574, 8 July 1916, Page 4

LORD FISHER AND THE NAVY.

Down to the issue in 1900 of Lord Fisher’s memorandum, detailing’ the new Admiralty policy for concentration of na.val strength in the North Rea, the naval defence of the Empire had been pivoted on the Mediterranean, to which the newest ships were despatched as soon as they were completed for sea. A British warship was seldom seen in the North Sea; and the small Channel Fleet rang the changes on Vigo, and other Spanish ports, Lisbon, Lagos, Gibraltar, and Madiera, with one trip to Port Mahon annually, and an occasional cruise in Scandinavian waters. Under the pressure of Russian rivalry in the Far Bast, four battleships had been sent to strengthen the China Squadron; but the pride of the Navy was the Mediierranoan Fleet, with a strength of 14 —only 14 battleships. The British Fleet in commission was distributed over the world seas mainly in little groups —most of the ships being of little or no fighting value —and imarly half the Navy was unmanned in (he home ports. The rout ini' of 100 years of peace still persisted, in pursuit of what was styled ‘‘showing the Hag’,” and had it. not been ruthlessly changed, says Mr Archibald Hurd, “the British Empire by this time would have come to an end.*’ Then followed the revolution in ship design, the appearance of the Dreadnoughts, of swift oil-burning destroyers, of submarine flotillas with improved craft, and a score of other reforms, and at length the naval crisis of 4 909. Eight more Dreadnoughts were necessary to neutralise Germany’s secret building. Lord Fisher (the First. Sea Lord) was firm in his demand, and was supported by his colleagues, among whom was Sir John Jellicoe, so long honourably associated with his various proposals. Mr McKenna, the First Lord, was adamant, though many of his party a thicket! him, and the Cabinet was divided. At length the whole Board resigned, the Cabinet gave way, the pi-ogramme was agreed to, and the situation —and the Empire —saved.