THE BATTLE OF JUTLAND.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXII, 23 October 1916, Page 4

THE BATTLE OF JUTLAND.

IN A DEQTA TE RECOGNITIOX

Wha* was the remit of the battle?(asks the Naval and Military Record), iiord Crowe,, sneaking for the Government in the house or Lords, admittedthat it was a naval victory for this country. He failed to Wart out that according to Admiral Jellicotr's conservative estimate, th e enemy lost six .capital ships, four of which were seen to sink, besides five light cruisers, nine destroyers (three sinking in sidit. of the British Fleet), and one submarine. .In the history of the world there na« never been an action like this, and yet not a word of thanks or appreciation has com e from the House of Commons, and in the House of Lords when the subject was raised it was only raised, to be "dropped." The truth 'appears to be that the Government are unable to recognise the imoortance of events. This battle, as Lord Beresford suggested, will probably prove one of the decisive incidents of the war. It i - not improbable that it will be the last o-ene-ral action at sea. O/ficers and men of the fleet are., nevertheless, informed that they must wait until the war is ■ over to receive an exoression of thanks on the part of the nation. The Kin"has played his part; h e visitad the Grand Fleet and addressed a represent"ti.«» gathering of officers and men in weals of high appreciation. Newspapers throughout tha country have coie something to reflect the'opinion f\: the nation and to aton e for their uismal conclusions. But Parliament nas failed to perform its duty, in ac- ■ ordance with precedent, and' owinir probably to the failure of Parliament the municipalities hav c maintained ■silence. Contrast this treatment with the ovation accorded to the senior officers of the defeated German fleet. Ihe Reichstag rose to its feet when it received the grossly misrepresented intelligence of the action; th e Kaiser ha<=t tened to embrace th 3 commanding officers of the High Seas fleet- Vicesrumiral yon- Scheer and Rear-admiral yon Hipper were presented with the freedom of the city of Wilhelmshaven. ifiat is the manner in which Germany thanked the defeated fleet. According to Lord Beresford, "on their return, home after fighting one of the tmest naval action-, ever fought in the history of the whole world, the officers 2 nd * n 7len (of the British' Fleets were nooted and hissed in several places " I hat stateroent may be an unconscious exaggeration; but it is apparent that tiie JNavy s gallant and victorious work was not appreciated, and after a battle winch may prove to be one o^ the most decisive m our annals. Parliament has remained dumb so far as any official expression of thanks is concerned. I hmall wonder that the enemy continues to boast and -to vaunt of hi.j victory