FRENCH AND SIR J. JELLICOE.

Mataura Ensign, 25 February 1918, Page 7

FRENCH AND SIR J. JELLICOE.

DEfftiT. FOR NAVAL AGGRESSION. Sir John Jellicoe’s retirement came as. a surprise to the French, but it is recognised that the moment has arrives 7 for revising the sea strategy of the AL lies. Thus the military expert of the ‘Matin’ writes: “Neither on land nor sea : s it sufficient to ward off the attacks o7 the enemy. Effective victory requires that the adverse forces shall be de-troyed, if not immediately at least with* rapid progression. At a moment when the Allied armies are preparing to resist assaults, the issue of which will decide the destiny of the world, our powerful fleets caimm remain idle. Like a general on the field of hittlo, a people anxious for decisive victory must bo prepared at a given moment to throw its total forces into the balance without counting the cost.” 'Hie ‘Figaro’ remarks that the destruction of convoys in the North Sea has aroused keen criticism, but. attributes the First Sea Lord’s retirement rather to a public desire for a more active prosecution of the war.