MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 March 1918, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

ADMIRAL JELLICOE'S DISMISSAL. "THE GREATEST LIVING SAILOR." SIR EDWARD CARSON DENOUNCES PRESS ATTACKS. London, March 7. In the House of Commons, Mr. Lambert, criticising Admiral Jellicoe's removal, asked if Sir Edward Carson was consulted as a member of the War Cabinet. Sir Edward Carson interjected: "Certainly not" Sir Edward Carson subsequently stated: "Over and over again while I was First Lord pressure was put on me to remove certain ollieers, including Admiral Jellicoe, but I resisted the pressure." i Sir Edward Carson denounced tile malignant press attacks upon officers. The country should understand that the attacks weakened the whole administration It was impossible for expert men like Admiral Jellicoe to do their duties under the attacks of some wretched rag of a newspaper. He did not know the reason of Admiral Jellicoe's dismissal but !)."> per cent, of the fleet had absolute confidence in him. Personally he regarded the dismissal as a national calamity. Lord Jellicoe was the greatest living sailor, and it would be an outrage if he remained out of employment. The Eir.it Lord was flouting not only Lord Jellicoe but the navy. Admiral Mcux said the attacks on Admiral Jellicoe were due to sheer ignorance. Sir Eric Geddes, replying, said he did his best to stop the press attacks, and regretted if he had conveyed the Government's decision to Admiral Jellicoe in such a way as to hurt his feelings. He still hoped to make use of Lord Jellicoe's great gifts. Mr. Bonar Law intervened in the debate. He said be had the greatest admiration for Lord Jellicoe's ability, but the position of First Sea Lord was vital' to tiie public safety. The principle of the Public service was that the First Lord was responsible for those serving under him. In this ease, said Mr. Bonar Law, Sir Eric Geddes informed 'Mr- Lloyd George of the proposal to dismiss Admiral Jellicoe and asked the Premier's approval. He chanced to be in the room, and was also consulted. Sir Edward Carson also would have been if he had been in the building. Sir Edward Carson interjected: "I would have given very good advice" Mr. Bonar Law continued:-"It is possible that Sir Edward Carson is right and Sir Erie Geddes wrong, but while Sir Eric Geddes retains tho position of First Lord his advice alone must he followed." Mr. McKenna interjected: "Sir Eric Geddes said it was the Government's decision." Mr. Bor.ar Law, resuming, said that Sir Eric Geddes found the task of dismissing Admiral Jellicoe so disagreeable | that he would gladly have got other emj ployment. Whether right or wrong, Sir 1 Eric Geddes believed he was acting in the best interests of the country. Mr. Bonar Law added that Mr. Lloyd George had assured him privately that he had nothing to do with the' press campaign against Admiral Jellicoe. STANDARDISED SHIPS. SLOW PROGRESS. London, March 7. Mr. MacNamara announced that three national shipyards had been established for assembling standard ships. He could promise 31 ships, and hoped they would all be completed in twelve months. They would lay the first keel in April and launch the first ship in October. The Government's anticipations regarding the numbers of men to.be released from the army for tihipbuilding had not yet been realised. In the Chamber of Shipping, Sir John Ellerman moved a resolution, which was carried, regretting the unsatisfactory progress of commercial shipbuilding, which was due to taking the initiative out of the hands of private owners. The number of standard ships produced in a year did not equal the sinkings in a fortnight. A LEAGUE OF NATIONS. TO ENFORCE PEACE AFTER THE WAR. Reuter Service. Received March 8, 7.20 p.m. London, March 7. In the House of Commons, Lord Robert Cecil stated that the Government was carefully examining proposals for a league of nations to enforce peace after the war. Doubtless the other Allies were acting similarly. ALIENS AND THE DOCKS COMMUNICATIONS WITH U-BOATS-Received March 8, 7."20 p.m. London, March 7Replying to a suggestion by Mr. Q. Hunt that aliens should be excluded from the docks, in view of the statement that the sinking of the Glenart Castle was due to spies in Bristol Channel ports communicating with German submarines, Mr. Brace (Under-Secretary to the Home. Office) said aliens were already excluded from the docks. Alien sailors on allied and neutral ships were not allowed to land unless from friendly ports, and then under strict conditions. STIFF WAR RISES. Received March 8, 7.20 pm. London, March 7The Government war risk rates to Australia via Suez is 120s per cent., and via Panama 70s, commencing from today.