NAVAL DEFENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3720, 4 January 1913, Page 10

NAVAL DEFENCE.

AN ADMIRAL’S RETIREMENT. MR. CHURCHILL CASTICATES LORD BERESFORD. ‘‘AN INSOLENT LETTER.”

LONDON, Dec. 22.

There was an excited debate in the House of Commons to-day regarding the retirement from the Admiralty of Vice-Admiral Sir F. C. Bridgeman. . Mr. E. A. Eitzroy, Conservative, insisted that it wa,s inaccurate to say that 'the retirement was due to the Admiral’s ill-health. Lord Charles Beresford observed that Admiral Bridgeman was the fifth lord to leave the Admiralty since Mr Winston Churchill had been at the head of affairs there. Admiral Bridgeman, he went on, had received two letters—one of an almost affectionate nature— insinuating that he should go, and a second peremptorily ordering him to go.

Inferentially, he had been offered a bribe in the shape of a Grand Cross of Victoria (G.C.V.0.) if he went quietly. He (Lord Charles Beresford) believed that the real reason why Admiral Bridgeman gave up his post was because he did not agree with the Minister’s autocratic methods, and because he differed from him on technical questions.

Mr Churchill, in reply, said that Lord Charles Beresford was going about the country pouring out charges of espionage, favoritism, fraud, and inefficiency.

‘‘Tile honorable member,” proceeded Mr C-hurchill, “is an,orator, who, before he gets up, does not know what he is going to say, who, when he is speaking, does not know what he is saying, and when he has spoken does not know what he has said. “Admiral Bridgeman was in accord with all my naval policy, but personal contact irresistibly convinced me that he was unequal to the strain of his duties, and that it was dangerous to retain him at the helm in these serious times.”

Mr Bonar Law, leader of the Opposition, declared that Mr Churchill only pretended to treat Lord Charles Beresford with contempt while exhibiting an amount of venom that proved ther contrary. He had avoided confessing the matter which formed the subject of the differences between, the two authorities.

At this tag? Mr. Churchill interposed, and read letters touching upon the subject. On November 2S he wrote to the Admiral suggesting that if the country was involved in war he would be unable to sustain the strain. Therefore, if he felt disposed to retire, the Government would accept his resignation.

On the 29th AdmiraFßridgeman replied saying that lie was feeling much better. ' . -a On December 2 Air. Churchill wrote to him again stating that he had consulted the Prime Alinister and the King before sending his first suggestion. and that the conclusion reached was final.

Admiral Bridgeman’s answer was that his doctor was satisfied that lie would soon be thoroughly well. Air Bonar Law told Air Churchill that he considered that the second letter was insolent. The debate lapsed.