STRATEGY UNALTERED.

Northern Advocate, 29 December 1917, Page 3

STRATEGY UNALTERED.

IMPROVEMENTS EXPECTE». '

(Received 7 p.m.) I LONDON, Dec. 27. The "Manchester Guardian's" London correspondent says that the naval changes do not mean a reversal of Admiral Jellicoe's policy regarding attacks on the German fleet in harbour, wherein Admiral Jellicoe is considered sound; but developments in handling convoyattnd anti- I submarinism may be expected. I

Admiral Wamyss' friends are confident that he will be able to improve the sea control, whereby the country lives or dies. The Westminster Gazette," after commenting favourably on Admiral Jellicoe's methods says: "With the entrance of America the time is ripe for new methods, but the simultaneous demand for greater daring and absolute security is unlikely to be satisfied. If we hope for a more energetic and aggressive naval policy we must accept greater losses without demanding the head of the. admiral on a charger. M. Pichon has needless fear as to Germany's emergence into the Pacific overland. Japan bars the way. The Germans will never regain an entry into China. Their difficulties in Russia are only beginning. It is impossible for them to largely replenish foodstuffs and the reorganisation of Russian tranport will take.years."

Admiral Sir John Jelli'coe is approaching his 60th year, having been born on December 5, 1859. He inherited the sea tradition from his father, the' late Captain J. H. Jellicoe, formerly commodore of the Royal Mail Steam and Packet Company, while Admiral Phillip Patton, Second Sea Lord at the time of Trafalgar, Was his great grandfather. Entering the navy in 1872 he served as a lieutenant on the Agincourt during the Egyptian War. ; Turning his attention to the gunnery branch, in 1882, he came under the influence of Lord Fisher, then captain of the Gunnery School, under whom he served for a large part of his later ; career. As early as 1888 Lord Fisher, then director of naval ordnance, gave the young lieutenant his first appointment at the Admiralty as an assistant-director. Promoted to commander in 1891 Jellicoe was appointed to the Victoria, and was shipwrecked in the collision which. destroyed thai! vessel in 1893. A? a captain he was Sir Edward Seymour's chief of staff in China in 1900, wher« he was wounded, and earned the C.B. for his services. After a period as naval assistant to the Controller of the Navy, he,commanded the cruiser Drake, and in 1905 w;i-- ;; >eointed director of ordnance, se.ni'g in this capacity until hi", promotion to rear-admiral *;n February- 1907. For the past '5 years he has had alternate periods in high command afloat and administrative posts at the Admiralty. He >vas a Rear-Admiral of the Atlantic Fleet, 1907-8, Third Sea Lord, 1908----10, Vice-Admiral Commanding: the Second Division of the Home Fleets, ' 010-12, and Second Sea Lord, 1912----4. His selection to be Comman- ■ >Pv-m-Chief of; the Home Fleets was published in July. 1914. but was not o have taken effect until the end of "he year." When w*r was imminent '•Towever, he wen* to sea at once, and his flag was hoisted on the Iron •i:iVe on August 4, 1914. Admiral Jellicoe held the supreme command "float until November 26. 1.91 fi when he was appointed Firs': Solord. Admiral Sir David Beatty commanding the First Battle Squad i-on succeeding him. In May. 1917 was further made Chief of the Naval Staff. Admiral Sir.' Rosslyn " Erskine Wemyss was born in Fife on April i' 2. 1864. He entered the navy in 1877; became lieutenant in 1887. commander 1898, and captain 1901. From 1912 to 1913 he. was rear-ad-miral of the Second Battle Squadron. Admiral Wemyss whs in com■!"tnl of the squadron at the landing - British troops in Gallipoli in A r>ril, 1915, He was arroointed Sea Lord, in succession to vdmiral Sir Cecil Burney. on August 0. 1917.