GREAT BRITAIN

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 125, 20 October 1914, Page 5

GREAT BRITAIN

FIRST LORD'S address to xavals. OX RETURN KP.OM ANTWERP. THEIR SERVICES PRAISED. WIIY THEY WERE CHOSEN. AND WHY WITHDRAWN. A STIRRING ADDRESS.

Wellington, Last Night. The Prime Minister has received the following cable from the High Commissioner, dated London, October 18, O.W pjn.:— Official. —The First Liord of the Admiralty has addretsed the following message to tho Royal Naval Division on its return from Aatwerp: — '•The First Lord welcomes the Royal Naval Division home from active service. The officers and men of all ranl;s and rating have acquitted themse.V's admirably, and have thoroughly ju:,i;i! ,1 tie confidence reposed in them. I loss of a portion of the First BriiM:: . through a mistake, in no way rein. ■ upon the quality and character of t •• division. The brigade of Koyal M'.i.i throughout the operations, eu.-itained fu.ly by their firmness, discipline, and courage the traditions of their cjrps. It is not necessary to nay more. The naval brigades bore themselves admirably under the artiiery fire of the enemy, and it ia to be regretted that no opportunities were afforded for closer contact with his infantry. "The despatch of the Kaval Brigades to Antwerp interrupted, for a time, the progress of their instruction and training. They were chosen because the need was urgent and bitter; because mobile troops could not be spared for fortress duties; because they were nearest, and could embark quickly; and because their training, although incomplete, was -U far advanced os that of a large portion *ot only of t!ie forces defending Antwerp, but of the enemy's forces attacking. The Naval Division was sent to Antwerp not as an isolated incident, but an part of large operations for> the relief of the city, though other and more powerful considerations prevented this from being carried through- The defence of the inner lines at Antwerp could have been sustained for gome days, and the Jsaval Division was only withdrawn, ■when ordered, in obedience to the general strategic situation, and not on account of the attack or pressure by t'.ie enemy. "The prolongation of the defence, due to the arrival .of the Naval Division, enabled the ships in the harbor to he tendered useless, and many steps of importance to be taken. It ia too early Bow to judge what effect the delaying the event for five or six days of at least CO,OOO. Germans before Antwerp may hare had upon the fortunes of the gen«ral battle southward. It was c-ertainly powerful and helpful. "Apart from the military experience;, which have been invaluable, the division kave been witnesses of the ruthlessness of the German foe toward a small innocent State. These faets should inspire all ranks to fit themselves in the shortest possible time for further service in the field, not merely at fortress duty, but as mobile units. ' The Belgian people can never forget that men of the Royal Xavv and Royal Marines were with them in their darkest hour, as, please God, ♦hey may also be with them when Belgium is restored to her own* by the nnnies of the Allies."'