LETTER FROM SIR DAVID BEATTY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2854, 19 August 1916, Page 10

LETTER FROM SIR DAVID BEATTY

"WE KN'OW AND ARE HAPPY." Sir David Heatty's views on the Horn Reef Battle woye expressed by the Rev. E. M. Walker, naval chaplain, at a service at the Town Hall, Portohello, where he read the Admiral's reply to a resolution passed a fortnight ago expressing confidence in the Xavy and (hanking Sir David Beatty for what his squadron had done. The. resolution was presented on board the Lion, and Sir David Beatty wrote in reply: "I am indebted to you for this kind expression of your feelings. Jt helps me, especially so in my lining fihle to show my officer's and men that the penple are with us, and that tl.eir appreciation of what we are doing is unquestionable and that their confidence in the Navy is greater than ever. "As yon suggest, there are those who are slow to acknowledge the wisdom and l necessity' of what we attempted, and to admit that which' was achieved. But we know, and are happy in that knowledge. Though some newspapers are 'nervy,' depressed, and timid, the neople are not, and for this we, arc thanlcfiil. The resolution which you hrimr is another pr™if of the wople's confidence, and it will cive me pleasure M make its contents known among my officers and men."