LORD JELLICOE’S DEATH

Evening Star, Issue 22193, 22 November 1935, Page 11

LORD JELLICOE’S DEATH

tributes ahd sympathy COOL AND UKDRAMATIS COMMANDED Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, November 20. 1 The Tiriies,’ in a leader on Earl Jellicoe, says: “As long as naval history is studied, the character and conduct of Jutland will be a vexed matter of dispute. Jellicoe had in his hands the whole fortune of the Allies. The battle might or might not have been fought with greater decision or success. Mr Churchill has said: ‘ Jellicoe was the only man on cither side who could lose the war in an afternoon.’ It would have been much to destroy the Gorman fleet, 'but it would have been everything <, to hazard his own. It is well to remember that on that day of- smoke and obscurity the cool and undramatic commander remembered his supreme responsibility.” AUSTRALIAN EULOGIES ' SYDNEY, November 21. Speaking at the Federal Congress of the Returned Sailors, and Soldiers’ League to-day, the Governor (Sir Alexander Hore-Ruthven) said that, if ever there was an Englishman who deserved and received the admiration of all sections of the British Empire, it was Earl Jellicoe. He held the most responsible position of any man in the world at a certain time during the war and, as Mr Churchill had said, “ Earl Jellicoe was the one man who could have lost the war in an afternoon.” His one ideal was to serve his King and country and the Empire to the best of his ability.* Sir Gilbert Dyett, Federal president of the Returned Sailors and Soldiers’ Imperial League in Australia, also paid a tribute-to Earl Jellicoe. He announced that only yesterday the congress had received a cablegram from him as was his annual custom, Wishing the' congress success, to which an "official reply /was sent the same evening. 1 GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S MESSAGE [Pee United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, November 21. The following message has. been sent by the Governor-General to Countess Jellicoe: “The people of New Zealand have learned with most profound sorrow of the passing of -your husband, whose personal qualities and achievements as Governor-General of this Dominion they have always held in affectionate remembrance, and of whose distinguished services to the Empire they have ever been proud. Lady Galway .and I join with, them and with the Government of New Zealand' in expressing deepest sympathy to you and to the inembers of your family in your great loss.’’ NEW ZEALAND’S SYMPATHY RANGIORA, November 21. . The Prime Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes) sent the following cable message to Lady Jellicoe on behalf of the Government' and people of New Zealand:—“l tender you and your family heart-felt sympathy in your great loss. Lord Jellicoe’s distinguished services to the ’ nation will have an honoured place in British history, and we in New Zealand will always remember his association with this Dominion with pride and affection.” NAVY LEAGUE'S MESSAGE WELLINGTON, November 21. . A cablegram of condolence has been sent to Lady Jellicoe on behalf of the Navy League of New Zealand. ROYAL SYMPATHY (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 21. (Received November 22, at noon.)

The King and Queen sent a message of sympathy to Lady Jellicoe; The Admiralty announces that the funeral and burial of the late Admiral of the Fleet will take place on Monday next, at St. Paul’s Cathedral. PRESS TRIBUTES HIS COLLAPSE UNEXPECTED. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 21. (Received November 22, at noon.) -Warm tributes are paid in the Press to Earl Jellicoe. He contracted a chill after attending the Cenotaph armistice service, but it was understood that he was making satisfactory progress towards recovery. Even' yesterday morning it was reported that the improvement continued, but 10 bouts later he died. Earl Jellicoe set an example of integrity, courage, dignity, and selfcontrol which was recognised by friend and foe alike. His life was one of dis-. interested ‘public service. INTEREST IN THE DOMINIONS ADVISED HIGH COMMISSIONER SIX DAYS BEFORE DEATH. LONDON, November 31. (Received November 22, at 11 a.m.) Illustrative of Lord Jollicoc’s interest in the dominions, Sir James Parr interviewed him six days before bis death, when he appeared well and cheerful. Sir James Parr was seeking advice regarding the Naval Conference, in consequence of which Lord Jellicoe

assisted him to obtain the services of Vice-Admiral Blake to be his technical adviser at the conference. Vice-Ad-miral Blake is a former commodore of the New Zealand Division, and is now attending • a senior officers’ technical course at Portsmouth. Sir Janies Parr telegraphed New Zealand’s sympathy to Lady Jellicoe.* The newspapers publish his tribute.

"SMUGGLE ME OUT" SURPRISE VISIT TO RETURNED MEN The following story illustrating the interest shown by Earl Jellicoe in the welfare of returned soldiers was told this morning by the Rev. V. G. Bryan King. During his term of office as Governor-General Lord Jellicoe performed the opening ceremony of a fair held on behalf of the St. John Ambulance Association, and after the function was over he said to the padre: “ I hear there are some soldier boys in a sanatorium near town, and 1 would like to go and see them. Will you ring up for a taxi and smuggle me out - of here so that I- can go and spend some time with them? Mind, it is to be a purely informal surprise visit.” He then went on to say: “There is another function I ;un supposed to attend after this, but ask Her Excellency to apologise for my absence.” Everytliing was arranged as required, and ho was duly smuggled out of the side door of the Early Settlers’ Hall, and went off to the Wakari Sanatorium with cigarettes, tobacco, books, and magazines for the “ diggers.” Shortly afterward there was a hue and cry for Lord Jellicoe, and finally Her Extelloncy said to Mr King: “Have you seen my husband?” His message was given to her, and she said: “ What a trick to play on me, but it’s just like him. He cannot keep away from the men who served in the war.”

Needless to say, the men in the sanatorium were overjoyed at the visit and Lord Jellicoe’s kindness to them.