EARL JELLICOE’S WAR STORY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 8, 9 December 1930, Page 11

EARL JELLICOE’S WAR STORY.

SUBMARINES FROM AMERICA. FULFILLING AN ORDER. Earl Jellicoc, who has been in Belfast in connection with British Legion matters, disclosed an interesting war secret when speaking at the Lord Mayor’s luncheon in London given in his honour. He said that following the sinking of the warship Audacious early in the war lie met Mr Charles Schwab, head of the Bctholem Steel Corporation, on board the Olympic, which was brouglrt into Lough Swiilv. “I had received a message from him,” continued Lord Jellicoe, “asking for an interview. It was granted and Mr Schwab explained that he desired to make an immediate trip to London for the purpose of seeing Lord Kitchener in connection with war requirements. “I said to Mr Schwab, ‘Why not so© Lord Fisher about things for the Navy?’ ‘What do you want?’ he enquired. “ ‘Submarines, and a 6 many as you can make,’ I retorted. ‘How long will it take you to fulfil such an order?’ “ ‘I will guarantee to do the Job in five months,’ Mr Schwab replied. “‘Well,’ I said, “you go to Lord Fisher and tell him what you are capable of doing and ask him for instructions.’ ” Mr Schwab went to Lord Fisher, who gave him the necessary orders. When Ire went hack to the United States he was met with the news tlrat he would not be allowed to build

submarines there for one of the Powers at war. Not to be outdone, however, ho bought the Vickers shipyard at Montreal, manufactured the parts of the submarines in tire United States, sent them to Canada as mo-tor-cars, had them assembled at the Montreal works and delivered them in five months.

“Strange to say,” added Lord Jellicoe, “Mr Schwab was afterwards arrested—of all places in the world—in Belfast —because of his name. He telegraphed to London and steps were taken for his immediate release.”