SIR D. BEATTY’S FUTURE

Cromwell Argus, Volume L, Issue 2644, 13 October 1919, Page 6

SIR D. BEATTY’S FUTURE

COMMAND AND ADMINISTRATION. [Ur Gkk.u.u Ftknnks. in ‘ Sunday Observer.'] J] K . City honored itself by honoring the chiefs who commanded tfie Grand I'leet and the Army of the West in the later stapes of tlie war. as. a hundred and more years ago, it honored Wellington and desired to honor Nelson. That each alike deserves the distinction of tile Freedom. and any other which can be paid him. is the fervid opinion of the whole nation. Sir Douglas Haig succeeded to the command when the new armies had yet to make themselves into one uncoiujnerahle whole, and to prove themselves in that series of gigantic battles in which success and reverse alternated until France and Belgium wore cleared of the foe. Sir David Beatty did not assume the supreme command until after the decisive blow had been given, though he played a great part in dealing that blow. The Fleet under his command was, of course, the ultimate argument in the long struggle with the I* boats, which was the distinguishing feature of the period ; but the direction of that struggle and tlu r war of wits by which it was sustained was conducted in ] other spheres, and notably by the sailors | at Whitehall under the leadership first of Lord dellicoe and afterwards of Sir Rossj Ivn Wemvss. ‘ Beatty is a great tighter—in courage and zest of* the type of Hawke and Nelson. Whether he shares the profoundcr intellectual qualities of these two great commanders lie has had no opportunity of showing. It is unfortunate that the habit should have been fostered by some of his less discreet admirers of speaking of the Battle Cruiser Fleet as if it were something distinct, from the Grand Fleet and of its affair in the Bight of Heligoland, the action of the Dogger Bank, and the battle-cruiser action at Jutland as it they were nuco-ordinated operations planned and conducted by him alone. Mo played the- role that was his to admiration; it was a piece of cruel .hard luck that the second of these engagements ended indecisively ; but in each his role was that of 1 a. subordinate commander, chosen for certain duties on account of certain qualities which fitted him admirably to discharge them. That those qualities were of a kind which Britons dearly love does not alter the fact. Tf we arc going to discriminate between the actions of those who fought under Sir John Jellicoe’s supreme command at Jutland, the discrimination will carry us very far indeed, and other commanders may have to bear the criticism now aimed in some quarters at Llje Commander-in-Cluef on account of acts for which that (’ommander-in-Chief. with proper generosity and in complete accord with Service traditions, now accepts full responsibility. No doubt Sir David Beatty did. and did well, all that was required of him during his period of command. One thing can at least be said with certainty ; that he sustained the spirit of his command by his personality during the period when it was most difficult to sustain it. No man not possessed of really great qualities and exceptional powers of attracting trust and affection could have sncccded as he sue- i ceeded. Officers and men knew that he was their comrade heart and soul, and that he would lead them to victory in the teeth of any odds if the opportunity were given. But the opportunity was not given, and be proved- himself no more able to create it- than his predecessor. More's the pity that •Indiscreet admirers should publish columns of flummery designed to make the public believe that, in some tecondite way. Beatty’s command of the Grand Fleet won the war when that of his predecessor had nearly lost it. Why not rest content, as Nelson was content. ! with the indubitable fact that he did his duty? That will not he gainsaid in any qua i ter. siir David Beatty is set on a pinnacle of fame at an early ago. If bis services arc not tor be lost to the Navy a good many preedents will have to be broken. He is an Admiral of the Fleet. No peace-time command afloat is open to him. And all his service life has been spent afloat lie has had no experience whatever of administration. No doubt lie will, some time or other, go to the Admiralty as First Sea Lord. A pretty well-marked “ stunt i.-- being worked to get him there now. But no lack of admiration for his qualities as a fighting leader is involved in feelings or doubt as to the wisdom of ; placing an inexperienced man in the position of Chief Naval Adviser to His Majesty’s Government at a time when all our naval organisation and dispositions must be revised from truck to keelson. I do not suppose that Sir David himself is so impatient to be installed at Whitehall as some of his admirers are to see him there. But, if so. and if he should by chance be under the delusion that !it- is the business of the First Sea Lord to command the fleets and squadrons of the Navy from Whitehall, there are elements of serious trouble both for him and | for the service brewing. The questions * immediately ahead of us are questions rather of policy and administration than of command. Lord Jellicoe’s Umpire voyage is timed to end in May next. After that there must be deliberations among the statesmen o? the Empire as to the ways and means of giving effect to a concerted sea policy for the whole. By that time peace will have been signed," and the future course of world politics will have become clearer. That surely will he the moment when a professional head of the British Navy, whose fame is world-wide, may profitably be seated in Whitehall. The interval will be well spent if some method can he devised by which Sir David Leattv can come to “know the ropes.” I aril sure that if he wishes to come to Whitehall it is for some great and vorthy object .and perhaps the passage in his city speech, in which he pleaded for better chances of promotion for men of the Irwer dock, gives the clue to what is in his mind. If so, it is a work in which lie will have Ihe fullest sympathy of ihe ‘Observer.’ The subject is a most intricate one. There is much spade work to he done, and every department of naval life should be explored in doing it. Fie re sorely is work with which Sir David might till up the interval, learning in the meantime all there is to be known of the technique of administration Sir David is in the happy positron of being one of those wiin. by age and worldly circumstances. can afford to wait. And the nation will get good rather than harm by waiting for him. so long as facilities are afforded him to utilise the interval.