BERESFORD AND FISHER.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 589, 18 August 1909, Page 5

BERESFORD AND FISHER.

■ > ■.. . *— ■ — ,' .' ■ .■ ACCUSER'S REPLY. (By Telcgrapn.-I'rcss ABsqclatlon.-Copyrlcut.l , (Rco.( August 17,- 10.5' p.m.) . . London, August 17. .>'

In a letter to the newspapers, Admiral Lord Chas. Beresford states that tho report of Mr. Asquith's Committee—on his charges against tlie Admiralty—has, in the main, given great satisfaction to himself, and some of the reforms that he regards as essential are now in tho Admiralty programme. Admiral Boresford. strongly denies that he was ever ■ guilty of disloyalty to the Admiralty's instructions or. that he failed to recognise, the Admiralty's paramount authority. ' , ' ' '■ BERESFORD'S SUPERFICIAL THINKING,' Admiral Bereaford infers that the Admiralty, has now appropriated some of his reforms. Mr. Maxwell, whoso artiolo was published on Monday,, states that the boot is on the other foot. In his speech of Juno 30, Admiral Berosiord put floating docks in his demands, know-, ing that "theso aro to be provided." Similarly, the Admiralty has been for three vearscreating the Strategio Department the Admiral, now demands. Mr. Maxwell adds: "It is, by tho-way;'a notable feature in Lord Charles Beresford's oareer as an agitator that .the often agitates, for things which ho knows aro already decided upon or even 'faits accomplis. , ' Ho is thus enabled to take, his share of' tho credit for them." ■ ; The portion of the report which Admiral Beresford "strongly denies" is the following:— "Admiral Ber«6ford:. .'. appears ■ to have failed to appreciate or carry .out the'spirit of the Admiralty ' Board's instructions, and to recognise their paramount authority." ,■' ■ \ Exposing what it- calls "the utter weakness 'and inconsistency' of Lord Charles Berosford," tho "Observer." says that in his speech on Juno 30 ho-proposed a "programmo of naval construction smaller than tho is prepared to provide. Hump'ty'-Dumpty ■in this cafe has fallen, not from a wall, but from a masthead.' . ■ ■ •. ■ ' , "Wo have resisted, without hesitation, tho mob-olamour on behalf of a music-hall hero. AVe have admitted his pluck. Wo have dfiiicd, his ability; and we have prophesied his-col-lapse. Our view of him-ficurehead rather than leader of faction in the Fleet—has been based upon the fact that Lord Charles Beresford .can be turned inside out in any controversy whatever by any- 000 l and resolute antagonist. "He is a confused and superficial' thiiikor. Ho has not one atom of serious force and constructive ability. He is the very last man to be pitted against German thoroughness, whether in. pence or war. While n-e'. have never .had the least hesitation in standing out against tho virulent nnd , br.so caiupuijm carried on against Sir J.ohn Fisiicr by T.ord Charlos Beresford's worse friends, wo had hardly hoped for bo complete a vindication of the support it has bc«n our duty nnd our honour to-oxtcnil. to a First Sea Lord appointed by a. Unionist Government for the very purpose of carrying out the great reforms ho has executed."