THE KNYVETT INCIDENT.

Evening Star, Issue 14308, 5 March 1910, Page 11

THE KNYVETT INCIDENT.

ro THK EDITOR. Sir,—Your impartial and comprehensive view of tills case must commend itself to disciplinarians, who will see a tangle of unfortunate blundering throughout. Why was Captain Knyvett refused a friend to assist him at Hie’inquiry? Clearly he was punished for an offence—insubordination —for which he was not charged. The case reminds one of the abbots of Glastonbury, who. in spite of having conformed with the requirements of the law, were ordered to bo tried, convicted, and executed, and, as we all know. Hie order was carried out. Assuming a trial for insubordination proved, then the sentence is far and away too severe. Here we have a young officer, in every way a credit to the service of which lie is an ornament, dismissed from it wit limit being given a chance to call bis witnesses. Assuming he had been a naval officer, ’and Hie charge proved, a reprimand, with dismissal from his ship, may have been the punishment. 1 have before me the result of a recent naval conrt-mar tial, where an officer was charged with desertion—a fur graver offence than insubordination. He was found guilty, and dismissed his ship—not the service—with loss of one year’s service in seniority. In carrying out discipline there is always a leaning lo the side of mercy; there must be, or discipline could not bo maintained ; and how much more should this bo with civilian officers and men. This case cannot rest where it is. because we are about entering on a scheme of defence which must he made popular with a democracy such as ours. In many instances we, find the Admiralty remitting comt-martial sentences, and the Defence Minister can do likewise. The law is mighty, but necessity—in this case leniency—is mightier, because it is our duty to popularise discipline. Let us. too. remember the case of Lord Cardigan and Colonel CaUhrop. After charging the Rnussian batteries, the officers retired to their base, and during the conversation Lord Cardigan made the unfortunate remark “I did no) sec you there, CaUhrop," which the latter resented, ami at wind cost service men will remember. A civil action against Lord Cardigan followd, and Colonel CaUhrop won his rase. “Dismissal" always carries disgrace (more or less), and it is a stigma very difficult to shako off. Whether public opinion will allow Hie matter to drop is an open question. but Parliament will certainly have a say. and in the meantime tho lion, the Defence Minister should appoint a royal commission to inquire into the working of the Defence Department.—l am, etc.. F.M. March 4.