FLAG HAULED DOWN

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 17 March 1928, Page 5

FLAG HAULED DOWN

INCIDENT ON FLAGSHIP.

A NAVAL SENSATION. FULL SIGNIFICANCE UNKNOWN. BY CABLE—PRESB ASSOCIATION— COPYRIGHT LONDON, March 15. A sensation was caused in England on receipt of a despatch from the Malta correspondent of the Central News Agency, who says there was considerable speculation at the delay in the sailing of the first battle squadron of the Mediterranean Fleet from Malta lor Gibraltar, where it was due on Sunday. The fleet did not weigh anchor until Monday morning, When the flag of the flagship, Rloyal Oak, was seen to be hauled down, which is a sign that the captani relinguishes command. The full significance of the act is not yet known. It is reported that it resulted from the conduct of the captain and the senior officers, two of whom are said to have gone to Gibraltar, en route to England. The souadron sailed with Captain Osborne, of the gunboat Egmont. in command. The Royal Oak is the flagship of Rear-Admiral B. St. G. C'ollard and is commanded, according to the current navy list, by Captain K. G. D. Dewar, who is also chief staff officer to RearAdmiral Collard.

During the debate on the navy estimates in the House of Commons, Coin, mander Bellairs asked if the telegraphed statement were true that the officers of the Royal Oak had refused to saii under the -admiral and had been oourt-martialled and carried as passengers to Gibraltar. ME C. M. Head lam, replying, said the Admiralty had insufficient information to give an answer. The sensation broke out late and took Parliament and the newspapers by surprise. It is understood Oomniander Bellairs had no information of his own when he asked the question. He merely wished to give the Government an opportunity, if necessary, of correcting unofficial reports. These were based on the Central News Agency telegram which, however, was much more guarded than the rumours being circulated. A “Daily Express” lobbyist states that he is able to confirm the report that there has been trouble on the Boyal Dak, the precise nature of w r hich is unknown in London, owing to some interruption of wireless communication, but the Admiralty has reason to believe Commander Beilair’s account is exaggenerated. It is known, however, that there had been some difficulty such as would necessitate an inquiry, although there is no evidence of a court-mar-tial has been necessary. Late-last night, an oflicial of the Admiralty said he uas entirely without information and was inclined to regard the reports of mutiny as incredible. “Our last message from the Royal Oak was on Wednesday, when she was nearing Gibraltar,” he said. “She ought to be there now.” Commander Bellairs, in 'he lobby, said he was surprised at Mr. Headlands answer, which was an equivocal way of dealing with the matter.

MORE INFORMATION SOUGHT. ADAIIRALTY’S INCOAIPLETE INFORAIATION. MEMBERS ADVISED TO EXERCISE CAUTION. Received 9.30 a.m. to-day. LONDON, March 16. The Rt. Hon. W. C. Bridgeman (First Lord of the Admiralty), _ when replying to Mr. C. G. Ammon in the House of Commons, said that he was unable to give details of the Royal Oak trouble. The only information he had so far received was a wireless report, part of which it was difficult- to decipher. He expected a full written report in a few dqys’ time. He hoped that members would not give too much credence to sensational newspaper reports. There would be- no courtmartial, merely an inquiry concerning two or three senior officers. Air. Ammon: “Is it true the admiral’s flag was hauled down?” Air. Bridgeman: “I understand the flag was transferred to another ship.” Commander Kenworthy: “Isn’t it in the interests of the Navy that the full facts should l>e announced at the earliest ?”

Mr. Bridgeman: “It is in nobody’s interest to go beyond the bare facts as understood by the wireless message. Any attempt to interpret the rather obscure telegram would do more- harm than good.”

ADAIIRAL’S RESIGNATION REPORTED. A British United Press message from Malta says it is understood that Admiral Collard has resigned.