THE BRITISH NAVY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 55, 23 July 1912, Page 5

THE BRITISH NAVY.

THE MANOEUVRES. ADMIRAL BERESFORD'S ADVICE. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 22, 11.35 p.m. London, July 22. During the manoeuvres the fleet, under Prince Louis of Battenburg, defeated Vice-Admiral Callaghan's attack. 'The Prince of Battenburg's fleet outnumbered the enemy by two to one. Admiral Callaghan succeeded in landing thirty thousand imaginary troops in Yorkshire, who broke through the North Sea cordon, preyed on Atlantic commerce, but lost six battleships, two cruisers and the greater part of his mosquito flotilla against the Prince of Battenburg's loss of two cruisers and twenty-four mosquito vessels.

Admiral Beresford, in a letter to the press, emphasises the necessity of securing the food supply against panic by the establishment of granaries, the equipment of certain merchantment on trade routes with guns and trained gunners, increased garrisons and armaments at Malta, Gibraltar and Egypt, and the reinforcement of the existing active fleet. He points out that only 123 out of 223 ships engaged in the present manoeuvres were really efficient for emergency, and also urges a strong Mediterranean fleet and a force of cruisers on trade routes. He adds that the efficiency of overseas help cannot be estimated until it is known what form of help the Dominions will select.