STATE OF THE NAVY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 229, 2 November 1909, Page 2

STATE OF THE NAVY.

LORD BliUKSl'OltD'si CIIARUES. PREMIER'S SIIAUP KKBCKK. By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyrigai Received Nov. 1, 10,23 p.m. London, October 31. The Premier (Mr. H. 11. Asquit/i) sharply rebukes Lord C'harie» Ueinford for jiubliihiuy the correspondence caoicd on iioth October without giving luni all -|i|)ununity to reply, He concludes by expressing profound regret that "an oilier of your experience and distinctiti should be responsible for such a letter. It is dillkuit to reeoucile your action with tho traditions of the service," The Premier enclosed Mr. Reginald McKenna'g detailed reply, showing that promotions were granted on Lord Beraslord's stalf whlcn, Mr. McKenna lie-lit-ves, are unprecedented from a single

Lord Beresford, replying, repeats that t) system of espionage, favoritism, and i intimidation exists in the Admiralty, i which is ruining the splendid morale of the Navy.

Admiral Lord Charles Bereaford I whose charges against the Admiralty administration of the First Sea Lor], Sir John Fisher, were recently investigated by a sub committee of the Cabinet, whose report was against the Bereiford charges) published a long correspondence with the Prime Minister, Mr. Aaquitb, In this correspondence Admiral Beruford protested against the Admiralty's treatment of officers who gave evidence in the naval enquiry before the sub-com-mittee. He cited the cases of Rear-Ad-miral F. C, I). Sturdee and Captain# A 11. Hulbert and H, 11, Campbell (until -ecently Assistant - Directors of the Naval Intelligence Department), and accused the Admiralty of extemporising a reorganisation involving a change of personnel with a view to ridding the Admiralty staff of his (Admiral Be Telford's Admiral Beresford added that five captains declined to act us his chief staff officer in 1907 becaait they feared that their acceptance oI Mat post would prejudice their futute careers. Air. Asquith, in replying, enclosed the Admiralty's memorandum alleging the necessity of tile reorganisttion of the Naval Intelligence Department, which had caused Captains Hoiitert and Campbell to be placed on halfpay. Mr. Asquith stated that he couid 'race no breach of the undertaking that no officer's career should be prejudiced ~ owing to his giving evidence at the ani quiry.