BATTLE OF JUTLAND.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 3 June 1927, Page 5

BATTLE OF JUTLAND.

ACCOUNT ISSUED IN BLUE BOOK

.. i OA liuti —PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT LU'jNBU'IN, June I.

file narraiDive ot the Jutland oatue, onicuany punuslied in lyz-A, is now ipi--10 wed by a Blue nook entitled Kepub--1 ication of Tiie Kecord of f'lie Battle oi Jutland, and: prepared by Captain, now Rear-Admiral, Sdui'pes and other otttceiis by direction of the Admiralty in 191.9-26. Uriticiism upon the delay in pubnsiiing this record wiais recently revived by the publication of Admiral Harper’s book “Truth About Jutland,” the object of which the author avows is to scotch the legend of incompetence of Lord Jellicoe, but the Blue Book, i.s, .in the words of an explanatory note by the Admiralty, nothing more than a record: of chronological sequence of the movements of various British squadrons and represents the first stage in preparation of the history of the battle. The note adds: “It must be clearly understood that this is not to be .regarded as the official report and the. object of their Lordships in now authorising, tho publication is‘to chspei the idea that any mystery, sensational evidence oir criticism were contained therein.’ ’

BOOK CONTAINS NOTHING NEW.

UNANIMITY OF OPINION

IMPOSSIBLE.

, LONDON, June 2. Naval experts confirm the opinion that Admiral Harper’s narrative is merely a chronicle of events put into technical language unintelligible to laymen and containing nothing new to experts, though it would have been exhilarating in 1919. It is generally agreed that the significance of the report lies not so much in itself, but in the deductions made from it.

“ The Times,” commenting editorially oh the report, says the broad conclusion at which most people will arrive is that there can never be to the end of time a complete unanimity about the conduct or consequences of the battle of Jutland. The final verdict will depend for each commentator upon his own estimate of the risks and opportunities.