THE CONTROL OF THE SEA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 14169, 18 September 1906, Page 7

THE CONTROL OF THE SEA.

THE BRITISH HOME FLEET. LORD CHARLES BBRESFORD’S NEW COMMAND. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, September 16. The “Daily Mail” states that Lord Charles Beresford will be appointed to tlio supreme command in Homo waters in April, commanding twenty-four firstclass battleships, exclusive of the reserve fleet. GERMAN RIVALRY. JUBILATION IN BERLIN. BERLIN, September 16. The “ Hamburger Nachrichten ” derides the British boast of naval supremacy, and declares that Germany’s new ships will greatly excel the Dreadnoughts in offensive power. Other newspapers jubilantly state that Germany in 1908 will bo as strong as, and perhaps stronger than, Britain. LORD CHARLES BERESFORD. During the crisis brought about by the Baltic Fleet outrage, it was quite remarkable to notice hour one name was on the lips of men of all ranks—that of Lord Charles Beresford. He is the only living sailor who has secured the distinction of familiarity conferred by the man in the street] to that important personage he is not Lord Charles Beresford, but Charlie Bereeford, just as Mr Chamberlain is Joe Chamberlain, and Lord Beaconsfield was Dizzy. Many men attain popularity, but few become popular favourites in the way that Lord Charles Beresford haS become a popular favourite. The day on which the North Sea tragedy was reported in the Press, an East-Endor was heard discussing the situation. He was very wrathful; he wanted revenge, and in his own. sharp Cockney way expressed his views. “ The cowardly cusses,” he said, with emphasis, “don’t I just wish Charlie Beresford had been knocking around with one of them gunboats of his; he’d have blown ’em to smithereens, and then written Home for instructions.” The suggestion illustrates better than could a whole article the opinion held of Lord Charles Beresford by all good Britons. He comes of a plucky stick-at nothing stock; he is one of “ the fighting Beresfords,” and he is the best living exponent of the good old bulldog spirit which made Great Britain what she is! The Beresfords have always been to the fore-front when Imperial work was to bo done, and their Irish blood has over responded with alacrity to war’s alarm®. Lord Charles seems at times almost to have stepped out of one of Marryat’s novels, and to have adapted himself to modern conditions with the readiness characteristic of the EnglMi sailor. He is a bluff, genial, honest, kindly dare-devil, who would‘have been happiest in outting-out expeditions, has made the most of-any opportunity which may have come his way to show that a Nelson is still among us, and does the best he can to keep alive the old spirit by being ready whenever duty may call to strike, as they struck in the days when the prowess of British tars astonished the world and secured an Empire. Lord diaries Beresford has a superb confidence in himself and in the British navy. Like all great and courageous men he does not want to fight for the mere sake of fighting; on the contrary, he believes in being strong so that the peace, may bo preserved from the enemy’s mere consciousness that to fight is to run grave risk of irreparable disaster. The nation owes it in no small measure to him that the navy has been, put upon a footing which warrants him in believing that Great Britain, if need be, could beat the combined: fleets of France, Germany and. Russia. A tall order that, but one which might well -be realised if the British navy were run by_ Beresfords. Difficulties, for him, exist to be got over, and dangers point the way to greatest triumphs. He knows that nothing succeeds like success, and we may be sure that he would never hesitate to place his blind eye to the telescope if he thought there was a chance of turning a critical situation to profitable account. How proud Great Britain was of him in 1882, when the British fleet was before Alexandria, he took the Condor in right -under the nose of the big guns on Fort Marabout, and silenced them. It was wrong from every point of view except one—it was successful. Some people said the act was mad; he did not deny it, though ho probably claimed credit for some method in the madness. If a shot had struck the Condor she would have gone to the bottom like a log. But, as Lord Charles said, “it didn’t,” and he had his reward when the Admiral signalled later, “ Well done, Condor.” The signal ie almost as inspiring in its simplicity as Nelson’s," “ England expects every man this day will do his duty.”

The same sort of cool recklessness, if we may use the phrase, marked his conduct on the Nile after he had crossed the desert with Sir Herbert Stewart to attempt the relief of Gordon. Sir Charles Wilson, on Gordon’s steamers, was wrecked,. and in , going to his rescue Lord Charles Beresford’s steamer was hadly hit in the hoiler._ He lay quietly in the middle of the river all day. while the damage was being repaired, and then effected the rescue of Sir Charles Wilson; another feat which won him high commendation at Home. In the same resourceful way a few years ago he saved a French cruiser which went ashore. Ho simply ran a hawser round the French boat, and turned Ivls own vessel into a tug. The incident was something more than one of courtesy; he incurred great risks, which few captains would have taken on behalf of a foreign boat, and the French Government would have marked its appreciation by conferring on him the Legion of Honour, but the Admiralty objected. Nor do Lord Charles Beresford’s rescues stop here—he has three medals for saving life. So excellent a captain could hardly he expected to shin© in other walks as he shines on the quarter-deck; yet he has mad© an admirable member of Parliament in the intervals of service, and has written several books which, if not literature, are useful contributions to living subjects. His _ last book was “ The Break-up of China,” written after his mission to China on behalf of the Associated Chambers of Commerce. In the House of Commons his voice was always heard in the cause of efficiency. He is a hard worker when on shore, as when at sea; and ho has in him the makings of a perfect Bohemian, as more than on© club in London knows.