THE NAVY

Evening Star, Issue 15065, 23 December 1912, Page 7

THE NAVY

LORD C. BERESFORD'S STATEMENTS ANSWERED IN FORCIBLE BUT UNPARLIAMENTARY LANGUAGE. LONDON, December 22. In the House of Commons Lord Charles Beresford accused Mr Churchill, in his position of First Lord of the Admiralty, of assuming executive as well as administrative functions. This was exemplified in the Sidney street riot (Januarv, 1911). Similarly, at the Admiralty, he had interfered and taken charge during certain manoeuvres. Mr Churchill: "That is absolutely untrue. No orders or instructions were" sent by me, directly or indirectlv." _ Lord 0. Beresford: '-'Taking charge' is a naval expression you probably do "not understand." Mr Bonar Law remarked that Admiral Bridgeman interpreted Mr Churchill's first letter as leaving it optional with him to resign, and he replied that he was well to continue his duties. Then came Mr Churchill's second letter, which was most insulting, intimating that his resignation had already been arranged. Mr Churchill 'read the whole of the correspondence, whereupon Mr Bonar Law remarked. "Had I received a letter like the- second one I should have considered myself brutally illused." The subject then dropped, and the House adjourned. UNIONIST PRESS SUPPORT MR CHURCHILL. tr LONDON, December 21. The Times' says that Mr Churchill's frank statement in the Bridgeman case should prove conclusive. The subject has been overlaid with prejudice and confused .with all sorts of unworthy insinuations. The 'Daily Mail' says "that Mr Churchill's speech dissipates all suspicions. The paper deals vigorously with Lord C. Beresford's insinuations. Many newspapers consider that Mr Churchill had the best of the duel, and that his action was justified. THE ADMIRAL VISITS THE KING. LONDON, December 22. Admiral Bridgeman had an audience with the King, which lasted over an hour, regarding his retirement. Audiences of this nature usually last a quarter of an hour.