NAVY’S BRAINS

Evening Star, Issue 16629, 11 January 1918, Page 8

NAVY’S BRAINS

YOUTH TO HAVE CHANCE. AT HEATH-GRIPS WITH SUBMARINES. ' Last week the Sydney ‘ Sun ’ published a series of cable messages from London dealing with recent changes in the control of the British Navy. As these messages were no more than hinted at in the cablegrams sent on to New Zealand, they are given below:— iThe -unfavorable public feeling in the handling of the Navy was' acutely revived by the destruction of the convoys on October 10 and December 12, which the official explanations did not efface, and also- by the misadventures at sea, the cumulative effect of which justified the prevalent belief that the Admiralty lacked energy and foresight. The crowning justification for the present changes, which go far beyond the limits of the present announcements, is, however, the overwhelming importance of effectively grappling with submarines, which younger seamen are convinced they can entirely overcome if they are given a free hand. In a leading article ‘ The Times ’ says that Admiral Sir John Jellicoe’s retirement implies extensive Admiralty changes, giving full scope to the younger school of seamen, whose war experience enables them to conduct naval warfare vigorously, resourcefully, and progressively. Their advent is in full accord with the Navy’s spirit and tradition during a long war, though it represents a break in the seniority system existing for the last 100 years. It does not slight the services of the older Admirals, especially Jellicoe, who commanded in a trying period, showing admirable battle leadership, though it is doubtful whether his qualities of seamanship were equally successful.. Admiral Sir Eosslyn Wemyss is chiefly known publicly for his excellent work at the landing and subsequent evacuation of Gallipoli. He is a man of wide interests, unfailing .good humor, and an excellent fighter, and is in thorough sympathy with the younger generation of the Navv. OTHER DEVELOPMENTS PENDING. The newspapers suggest that additional developments and disclosures are pending at the Admiralty. The changes must go further to restore the waning public confidence. Hie ‘Daily Mail states that it cannot pretend to regret Jellicoe’s retirement. Recent events, some of -which were not known to the public, made it inevitable, oir Eric Geddes deserves the nation’s thanks for not shrinking from a painful duty. Jellicoe achieved a high technical proficiency, but his qualities did not fit him for the position of First Sen Lord and the guidance of the naval war, which was lacking in initiative, flexibility, and toresigiit. Younger officers will" have gieatei opportunities to make good under U emyss. Renter’s Agency says (hat the dramatic changes at the Admiralty recall Sir Eric Genoeses audience on Christmas Day with the Ring a t Sandringham, which occasionect much speculation. The new appointment has given great surprise, but it is generally regarded ns indicative of new developments, especially m operations against submarines, rather than emphasising the recent misadventures m the .North Sea.. The Government are expected to supplement the present bare announcement, taking the public into fuller confidence. Further extensive changes in the Board °i Admiralty and tho Naval War Staff are believed to be probable. GREATER LOSSES MAY BE EXPECTED. ‘ Westminster Gazette’ saysJellicoe s work in sweeping the enemy off the seas ends with the assurance tbit a great new force can be transported across the Atlantic. He resisted the tempting projects favored by the younger school because he felt that his first duty was making the sea position secure. A military commander might risk an army corps by following up a retreating force, but the critics oi Jellicoe overlook the fact that disaster to the Grand Fleet would mean irretrievfii rU i n ,*° allied cause. If he had lollowed the Germans at Jutland he would have risked annihilation by the minefields and submarines. With the entry of Amenca the time may be ripe for new methods, hut the simultaneous demand for greater daring and absolute security is not likely 0 be satisfied. If vv© have a more energetic and aggressive naval policy we must accept greater losses without demanding tne head of the admiral on a charger.” GREAT HOPES OP NEW HEAD. Admiral Sir Rosslyn Wemyss is a greatglandson of William the Fourth. He is best described as an admiral with an inside reputation, and a popular social personality. He is unknown to the public. His family_ estates adjoin those of Sir Douglas Haig in Fifeshire. Phe ‘Manchester Guardian’s’ London correspondent states that the changes do not mean the reversal of Jellicoe’s policy regarding attacks on the German fleet in harbor, in which Jellicoe was considered sound, but developments in the handling of convoys and in anti-submarine war mav be expected. The friends of Wemvss ar'e confident that he will be able to improve the sea control, by which the countrv will live or die. The ‘ Pall Mall Gazette ’ states that Jellicoe will be remembered as having stamped the British naval supremacy upon the war. From the commencement Germany s measure of his capacity has been shown by the fact that her fleet has skulked in her harbors. LEADERS WHO HAVE VANISHED. Ihe following list has been compiled of leaders who have vanished since the. beginning of the war ; MONARCHS. Pope Pius X. (died). Francis Joseph of Austria-Hungary (died). - Carol I. of Rumania (died). President Yuan Sluh-Kai of China (died). Nicholas 11. of Russia (deposed). Constantine of Greece (deposed). Emperor Hsuan-Tung of China (deposed). Albert of Belgium (in exile). Peter of Serbia (in exile). Nicholas of Montenegro (in exile). Wilhelm of Albania (in exile). STATESMEN. Premier Asquith of Great Britain. Chancellor Yon Bethmann-Hollwog, of Germany. Chancellor Miehaclis, Germany. Premier Briand, of Prance. Premier Yiviani, of France. Premier Ribot, France. Premier Painleve, France. Premier Sturgkh, of Austria (assassinated). Premier Tisza, of Hungary. Premier Goremykin, of Russia. Premier Sturmer, _ of Russia. Premier Trepoff, of-Russia. \ Premier Kerensky. Russia. Premier Boselli, Italy. Foreign Minister Grey, of Great Britain. i Foreign Minister Yon Jagow, of Ger- . many. ! Foreign Minister Zimmermann, of Ger- | many. Foreign Minister Sazon-off, of Russia. Secretary of State Bryan, of the United States. Minister of War Kitchener, of Ureal Britain (died). GENERALS. Marshall Joffre, of France. General Nivelle, of France. General French, of Great Britain. General Yon Moltke, of Germany. Genera! Von Kluck, of Germany. General Rennenkampf, of Russia. Grand Duke Nicholas, of Russia. Sir lan Hamilton, of Great Britain. Sir A. Murray, of Great Britain. Sir Percy Lake, of Great Britain. Sir J. Nixon, of Great Britain. Von Falkcnhayn, of Germany. Count Crd n, of Italy. •• ' Russia. i v •’ f" ”---sia. I ■; i Russia. Russky, of Russia. ADMIRALS. Lord Fisher, of Groat Britain. Prince Louis of Battenberg, of Orea Britain. Von Tirpitz, of Germany. Sir H. Jackson, of Great Britain. Sir John Jellicoe, of Great Britain,