JELLICOE'S RETIREMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 March 1918, Page 6

JELLICOE'S RETIREMENT.

COMES AS "A BOLT FROM THE BLUE." HOW THE CHANGE WAS EFFECTED. Lmdon, Dec. 27. It is officially annouueed that ViceAdmiral Sir Rosslyn Erskii e Wemyss, K.C.8., M.V.0., has been appointed to succeed Admiral Sir John Jell'.cou in the position of First Bi:a Lord of the Admiralty Sir John Jellicoe has be?n raised to the peerage in recognition of his very distinguished services. It is hoped that Admiral Jellieoe's experience will be utilised later in another appointment The Daily Telegraph's Parliamentary correspondent says that !he 'le.eisi'.ui to appoint a new First Sea Lord was conveyed to Sir John Jellicoe before Christmas. Sir John ceased noting on Monday. "The news is sirivising," adds tha correspondent, "in view of Sir Eric Geddes's speeches, in which he referred appreciatively to the anti-submarine wc-rk for which Sir John Jellicoe wa; supposed to have been responsible." The Daily Chronicle states:— "The important change comes like a bolt from the blue, unaccompanied by any explanatory statement. The publie had a well-founded confidence in Sir John Jellicoe. "The navy is too important a national bulwark for changes in the high command to be profitably made the subject of controversy during the war. We must content ourselves by hoping that those conversant with all 'the facts have been wisely guided in the decision.

TRIBUTES FROM THE PRESS. The newspapers pay tributes to Sir John Jellieoe's great services. They point out that Sir R. E. Wemyss Is comparatively unknown as an administrator, but recall his distinguished work nflhc landing and the evacuation of Gallipoli. There is much speculation as to the real meaning of the change, which Is described as being sensational, and it is prophesied that it iharks a development of a new regime. But tho general desire is for a fuller statement, seeing that the public confidence in Sir John Jellicoe was inimpaircd. He was confined to his bed, suffering from bronchitis on Monday, when he received Sir Eric Geddes's letter notifying him of the contemplated change. The Morning Post says:—"Sir Eric Geddes has steadily carried out Sir Edward Carson's scheme of reorganisation, replacing the system of administration which has been the Navy's inheritance for a long period in peace. The prohlems of modern naval war demand that men who would understand them from their practical experience should be appointed to conduct the war, irrespective of traditions."

The Daily Telegraph writes:—"ln the absence of a fuller official report rumor is active—possibly to the injury of the sea service, perhaps even to the' Government itself. Apparently Sir R. E. Wemyss, as Deputy First Sea Lord, won the Cabinet's confidence, but the r/reater question is whether he has behind him the heart of the service to which ho belongs. Tho change poinls to the development of some new policy, perhaps against the submarines—the most difficult problem ever presented to seamen. Tf the new Admiralty regime can achieve an improvement it will earn the nation's gratitude. We have entered the final stage of the war, and the success of our efforts depends on the right to use a fighting fleet which is still our all in all."

The Daily News expresses great surprise at Jellieoe's sudden disappearance from the Admiralty.

"Tho loss of the Scandinavian convoy in the absence of a protecting force," says the News, '-'raised misgivings about the soundness of th|i administration almost to alarm. Jellicoe himself may have felt that the interests of the country demanded a change, The relative failure to meet the submarine campaign, the facts which leaked out regarding the national shipyards and criticisms of the shipbuilding policy generally culminating in the tragic news of the convoys, tend to severely discredit the theory of the sea. power for which Jellicoe is understood to stand. Whatever the real reason of the change, the opportunity ought not to be lost to do tho essential thing, namely, to establish a naval general staff as a guarantee of doing all possible to secure a competent administration.

COMMANDER OF THE OPHIR. Vice-Admiral Sir Rosslyn Erskine Wemyss was born in 1564, and he is thus 03 years of age. He entered the navy in 1577, was appointed lieutenant in ISB7, commander in 1808, captain in MOl, rear-admiral of the Second Battle Squadron in 1912, and vice-admiral In 1010. He was created a K.C.B. in January, Idle, He was commander of the Ophir on the occasion of the visit of tiie Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (present King and Queen) to Australia at the inauguration of the Commonwealth in 1001, and he was commodore, second-class, in command of the Balmoral Castle when the Duke and Duchess of Connaught visited Africa to open the first Union Parliament in 1910. With the rank of rear-admiral. Sir Rosslyn Wemyss was in command of the squadron during the landing on Oallipoli Peninsula on April 25, 1915, the landing at the southern extremity of the peninsula being carried out under his orders. In his despatch, dated July 1, 1915, Viee-Admiral de Roebeek referred to Admiral Wemyss's valuable services and indefatigable efforts to further the success of the operations, Admiral Wemyss also took part in the evacuation of the Oalnpoli Peninsula, between November 20 and January 9, 1910. General Sir Charles Monro, in his despatch covering these operations, said: "We had a further stroke of good fortune in being associated with ViceAdmiral Sir J. de Roebeek and ViceAdmiral Wemyss and a body of naval officers, whoso work remained throughout this onerous period at that standard of accuracy and professional ability which is beyond the powers of criticism or cavil."