THE NAVY

Evening Star, Issue 15064, 21 December 1912, Page 5

THE NA VY

ADMIRAL BRIDGEMAN’S ■ RETIRE MENT.

LORD C.' BERESFQRD’S CHARGES.

MR- GIIURPHILL'S ANSWER. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright,

December 20.

(Received' December 21. at 11.10 a.m.) In. the House of Commons Mr Fitzrov’s’ motion to.’ adjourn’ raised the' question "of Admiral Sir F. ■O. Bridgemans ■ resignation. , • ' ■ - .

Lord C. Beresford disclaimed any party feeling,. or that he was not friendly with Sir - F. C. Bridgeman, who had objected to his (LonLßcberford’s) creation as-an. Admiral of tiro Fleet, but there was-much feeling in the Navy over the matter. Sir F. C. Bridgeman was the fifth Sea Lord whom Mr Churchill had dismissed. Admiral Wilson had received* the same sort of insolent letter. He added that Admiral Bridge, man was dismissed because ho "differed from the Admiralty Board' oh technical matters.

Air Churchill, in his reply, said that Lord C. Beresford did not mean to be as offensive as lie really was. Ho was am orator wlio did not know what he was going to say. His gross and scurrilous charge was not supported by any evidence. Sir F, C. Bridgeman had given his written assent to every act, of naval policy requiring it. His-health was quite unequal to the strain of his duties, an attack of bronchitis having followed an operation-for appendicitis. This being the position, ho (Air Churchill) had consulted the Prime .Minister and the King.