EARL JELLICOE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18397, 2 June 1925, Page 9

EARL JELLICOE.

• RANKS WITH NELSON. NAVY LEAGUE EULOGIES. That it was because ho was undvr J cloud as the result of the Batt'e <>'* Jutland was the reason given last by Mr J. J. Dougall why Earl Jeii-"*v "was sent to New Zealand as GovernsGeneral. The conferring of an *'•••- dom upon him was not. sisd Mr Dougall, a result of his having beea Governor-General of the Dominion. but was a result of the cloud having cleared away to give place to the walivitioti that Earl Jellicoe was one of tke greatest admirals England' had produced, and that his name was entitled to ho ranked with that of Nelson. The remarks were made at the tacta* bers' evening held by the Canterbury (N.Z.) branch of the Navy League ta commemoration of tho ninth anaiversary of tho Battle of Jutland. Mr Doug-all said thero was every reason why British people should celebrate the Battle of Jutland. "We are now permitted," he said, "to say things that would not have been quite in p!a« while Earl Jellicoe was still with us in New Zealand, lie was created aa earl immediately on relinquishing position as Governor-General of New Zealand. If any New Zealander thinks thnt he got that title by reason of the fact that he was Governor-General of New Zealand, he is very mistaken. That honour was conferred upon him becauso he was the victor of Jutland. "You all know," he said, "that whon tho reports of the Battle of Jutland camo out thero was a tremor of apprehension throughout the British Empire, and that apprehension was heightened by tho vainglorious German reports of a great German naval victory. Tho British Admiralty was responsible for tho reports we received, and they published the reports as they wero recoived from the Admiral of the Fleet during tho progress of the fight. Subsequent events havo shown that though our losses .were great, the result of that fight was one of the most brilliant victories recorded in history. It was not a spectacular victory, with tho destruction or annihilation of th» opposing fleet, but thero was thw marvellous fact—that the fleet that met tho British Fleet never dated again to put to sea until it went to the most abject surrender recorded in history. "The commander of that victorious British fleet was to some extent under a cloud. Perhaps it was that cloud that caused him to eomo to New Zesland, and there is no doubt that his visit to New Zealand has implanted in him and his family a love of this country that has never been equalled by that of any previous Governor we , havo had. I believe there is no doafct that Earl Jellicoe and his family carry with them the esteem, love, and admiration of every man, woman, and ehiltf in New Zealand."

The Battle of Jutland, said ilr Don* gall, was not even yet properly recognised. A good deal had been said about "the Nelson touch." "I believe," said Mr Dougall, "that if Nelson had been in the same position that Admiral Jelliooo was placed in the Battle of Jutland he would h*t# done precisely the same thing. Wfeea Nelson, at the Battle of the Nile, and again at Trafalgar, took the chance of destruction there were three other battle fleets to defend England if his fleet had been wiped out. When" Admiral J ellicoe fought the Battle of Jutlanji his fleet was the only one to defend the British Empire. If tlaS fleet had been beaten Germany would have obtained command of the nan and the British Empire would have beea a thing of the past." As a high German officer had sine* put it, Admiral Jellieoe at the Battle of Jutland held the British' Empire in the palm of his hand. Ho had to decide whether he would take the liae of caution or whether he would bo aggressive and attempt the aoniMt* ation of the German High Seas Fleet. He knew what tho consequence to the British Empire would bo of defeat, and the superiority of the British Scot in ships and weight of guns was sot so great as to encourage the belief that rushing in -would have" resulted in the annihilation of the German fleet. The British cruiser squadron, hid suffered very heavy losses. Admiral Jellieoe chose tho line of caution. He was not going to sacrifice the British Empire to a chance, oven a groat chance, of success. "I do not believe," said Mr Dougall, "that tho 'British people recognise yi* that Balient feature of tho Battle P* Jutland. Tho Admiralty, and P»P» who understand naval affairs in wW®* Britain now thoroughly appreciate t» part he played, and he ia now J* s ®**!®? the honour that, is doe to him. Awl as time goes on the greater thai imoor ''will be. In twenty years' time, or perhaps immediately alter Earl Jellieoe passes away, his name will stand side Nelson's as one of the greater* admiralo that the British Empire ©r Old England has produced. » on«j fitting, therefore, that we should <wbrate the Battle of Jutland in MMI proportion with that o€ Nelson W| and the great Battle of Trafalgar. The subject was referred to briefly at a later stage by mander Boyle. "I believe he swd. "that when Earl Jellieoe had to decide in a moment whether to torn towards the enemy or #**T »i» he had to decide whether he wanted to be a second Nelson or not. He choee the safest and. I think, we will undoubtedly prove, the wisest epnne, and though at the __ present moment he is not recognised as # second Nelson, it will not be very loog before he is."