STAND FAST."

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 280, 24 August 1915, Page 8

STAND FAST."

GREAT ORDER TO THE FLEET. A MANLY LETTER. LONDON. August 21. The Press Bureau has issued a letter sent by Prince Louis of Battenberg to Mr. Churchill regettiug that the unauthorised publication of a private note has been made the basis cf strictures on Mr. Churchill. Prince Louis of Battenberg states that there was perfect harmony and mutual trust during the critical time. The circumstances were as follows: —Prince Louis of Battenberg considered the news from abroad on July 20th very disquietening. Mr. Churchi.(l telephoned from Cromer expensing tiie same. view, and asking Prince Louis cf Battcnburg to take any steps appearing desirable. Mr. Churchill added that as Prince Louis of Battenberg was in charge of the Admiralty he should act without waiting to consult him. Prince Lous of Battenberg, in view of foreign advices, ordered the commander-in-chief of the Home Fleet not to leave Portsmouth instead of beginning to demobilise next morning, as previously arranged. Prince Louis adds that Mr Churchill approved of his action. They decided on further orders I daily, acting in perfect accord. ' (The following cable message, published on the Sth inst., explains- the I above: —Apropos of the renewed statements that Prince Louis of Battenberg was responsible for the order to the Fleet to "Stand Fast" at the critical hours a year ago, Sir George Scott Robertson, M.P, states that he has Prince Louis of Battenberg's auth' ority for saying that Mr. Churchill was absent for the week-end at Cromer, and I left Prince Louis or Battenberg. in whom he had implicit confidence, with I the fullest powers to deal with any { emergency. Prince Louis of Batten- | berg, in virtue of this authority, issued 1 the famous order when the decisive mo ment arrived.)