WON'T SHAKE HANDS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9131, 2 July 1908, Page 5

WON'T SHAKE HANDS.

LORD BERESFORD ANP ADMIRAL FISHER. Received July 1, it a.m. LONDON, June 33. The "Daily Chronicle" states that' at a recent levee, Admiral Sir John Fisher, First Sea Lord, in the presence of Cabinet Ministers and foreign ambassadors, offered 1o shake hands with" Lord Charles Beresford, who ostentatiously refused, placing his hand behind his back. This, together with Lord Beresford's attitude towards Admiral Sir Percy Scott, is causing much comment.

It is reported that Lord Beresford retires after the manoeuvres now being held, and re-enters political life.

A cablegram published in November last stated that Lord Beresford, Commander of the Channel Squadron in accordance with orders from the Admiralty, signalled to the fleet to "paint ship," in preparation for the reception of the Kaiser, who was about to visit England. Thereupon Rear-Admiral Sir Percy M. Scott, commanding the First Cruiser Squadron, signalled to Captain Calthorpe, of the cruiser Roxburgh, who had gone to the firing range for gun practice: "Paint work appears in greater demand than gunnery; so you had better come in in time to look pretty on the Bth." Lord Beresford then signalled to the fleet that RearAdmiral Scott's signal was contemptuous in tone find insubordinate, and must be expunged from the signal records i/f Admiral Scoit's flagship and the Rnxbunrh. Later. Admiral Sco't was ordered to attend on the flagship, where Lord Beresford read a general signal of reprimand. It was announced subsequently that Admiral Scott's signal preceded by two hours Lord Beresford's order to discontinue gunnery practice.