The Daily News. MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 1919. LORD JELLICOE'S VISIT.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 August 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 1919. LORD JELLICOE'S VISIT.

For the second time the battleship presented by the Dominion to the Imperial Navy is visiting New Zealand waters. Oh the former occasion, when H.M.S. New Xealand came here it was more in the nature of a parade in order that the people of this country could see for themselves the magnificent vessel they had given to help defend the Empire, but the present visit may be regarded as historical and of supreme importance by reason of the presence on board of Admiral Lord Jellicoe, the hero of Jutland, and the foremost naval authority of the time. It was a happy insciratiou of the

Home authorities when sending Lord Jellicoe on a special mission to the Dominions in connection with the naval policy of the future, to select the New Zealand as the warship for the tour, thereby paying a great compliment to the Dominion, and a gracious tribute to its help in the war, and it should bo particularly gratifying to Sir Joseph Ward to have received a message from the Admiral staling: "We are very proud U> lie aboard the ship presented by New Zealand during your premiership." We are reminded by the advent of our distinguished visitor of the great part the Navy played in the war, and more particularly of the greatest naval hattie in history, at which Lord Jellicoe commanded an unprecedented p'val force, the concentration of a; least ninety per cent, of the naval defensive power of the British Empire against an enemy fleet not greatly inferior, and having a superiority in defensive armor, shells, and. scientific equipment for night fighting. Although darkness saved the enemy ships from annihilation, the victory was none the less complete, for it shattered the morale of the Germans and proved that Britain remained mistress of the seas. Nowhere is the slightest mistake more terribly punished than in naval warfare under modern conditions, when a few salvos, a single torpedo or even a mine will disable or destroy the finest warship. A French officer of great distinction has laid down the principle that a useful defeat is almor.t an impossibility where guns are used. Hence at Corouel, Craddock's tiny and weak squadron was sunk by Von Spee in November, 1914, almost without loss, while a month later Von Spee was sunk by an overwhelming British squadron under Admiral Stnrdee, with no damage to the British ships. There is no occasion to refer to the controversy &h I to why Admiral Jellicoe did not make or sanction a dash at the enemy. It is so easy to be wise after an event, but the safety of the whole British Fleet and of the Empire demanded the utmost caution and swiftness of decision, and this was illustrated by the alteration of the British line at the supreme moment when the Germans prepared to launch a great torpedo attack on the British Fleet, The Germans had to retire leaving the British in possession of the field, and Admiral Jellicoe is justly entitled to the honors of victory. Few people can realise the crushing weight of responsibility that rests on a naval com-mander-in-chief in modern warfare, and the Empire may well feel proud that Lord Jellicoe came through his terrible ordeal-in a manner worthy of the best traditions of the service. The greater part of his work was devoid of all spectacular prominence, but nevertheless was work requiring the' highest qualities of nerve, endurance, skill and initiative. There is little doubt but that history will ascribe to Lord Jellicoe as the most prominent figure in the greatest sea campaign of all time. For nearly the whole of the duration of the war the enemy's Armada was kept bottled up in its protected harbors, not daring to come forth except for a little way on rare occasions and then flying back to shelter. No more convincing testimony than this can be found as to the success of Admiral Jellicoe's tactics and organisation. Had he been rash or impetuous at Jutland an irreparable disaster might have overtaken our Navy, and the issue of the war reversed. Nelson, in similar conditions, preached prudence and caution. His doctrine was so to use his fleet as to be superior to the enemy at the decisive point, not to engage in rash enterprises—a wise principle that has been fully justified. It is an honor to the people of New Zealand to welcome an Admiral who has done such signal and successful service for the Empire, and whose mission is to arrange a chain' of naval defences that will mean security in the future. The days of peace have arrived, and our gratitude to those who have made peace possible may well be demonstrated by the heartiness of the welcome accorded to Lord Jellicoe. His flag flies on the warship that was added to the Navy by the Dominion, and took part in every action fought in the North Sea, and did such, splendid service at Jutland. The enthusiastic reception accorded to the Admiral at Wellington is but a reflex of the feelings of the people throughout the Dominion. Recognising the great work of the Navy in enabling the produce to be transported to the Homeland, the people of Taranaki cannot fail to j be filled with gratitude, and will gladly utilise an opportunity to enthusiastically welcome Lord Jellicoe. That opportunity should be given them, and it is certain they would do all in their power to make the visit a pleasant memory of the historic tour.