ADMIRALS FALL OUT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 255, 21 July 1908, Page 7

ADMIRALS FALL OUT.

A FRENCH "INCIDENT." A SUDDEN END TO MANOEUVRES. PROGRAMME NOT KEPT. (BY TELEGItAPII —PRESS ASSOCIATION— COPYRIGHT.) (Rec. July 20, -11.30 p.m.) London, July 20. Router's Paris correspondent states that Admiral Gorminct suddenly terminated tho manoeuvres of tho French Mediterranean Fleet, because Admiral Le • Pord, by dis-. obeying tho programme of operations, evaded an attack that was intended to be a surprise, thus escaping defeat. Admiral Gcrminet condemned tho sentimental considerations prompting Admiral Lo Pord's action. According to a French pressman who interviewed Admiral Germinot prior to the manoeuvres, it was tho Admiral's intention to disregard ancient traditions, and to make the rearadmirals more than tho usual figureheads. Tho Admiral said: "I know that public opinion—l speak of that opinion which is'interested in the navy—is in favour of manoeuvres on a large scale, but it is necessary tp look at tho conditions in which they present themselves. Those conditions have, during the past few years, been ptiro ficti*is. A single destroyer has represented a squadron of tho enemy, and divisions of armed cruisers have been limited to a maximum speed inferior to the habitual speed employed in a naval battle. That is nothing like the reality, and it is not good. Real naval manoeuvres on a largo scale presupposes, a double scheme and.tho means of assuring the reciprocal action of the opposing forces. In my ron I have nothing but units of battle.