THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 1919. LORD JELLICOE'S MISSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17244, 21 August 1919, Page 6

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 1919. LORD JELLICOE'S MISSION.

In the welcome which New Zealand extends to Lord Jellicoe there is a note of anticipation. We greet him for the incalculable services which he has already rendered the Empire, but we have also a full sense of the importance of the mission which confers on us the privilege of offering him hospitality. Lord Jellicoe is not engaged on a pleasure tour. There never was a visitor to the Dominion with a more definite purpose. The Admiral is not even an Ambassador of Empire, though it may be remarked in passing that nothing could do more to stimulate interest in the navy and strengthen the spirit of brotherhood engendered by the war than the presence of the distinguished leader of the Grand Fleet. Lord Jellicoe comes with the simple but comprehensive object of studying our naval needs and those of other parts of the Empire, and advising the Dominions and the Admiralty of the most efficient organisation and distribution of naval forces under the new circumstances. The strategic situation has been infinitely modified by the disappearance of the German Navy. The security of the British Isles is now so absolute that for the first time for nearly a decade it becomes possible to release warships to police the farther oceans. The dangerous weakening of forces in the Mediterranean, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and Pacific, which was the price of superiority in the North Sea, is now no longer necessary. The redistribution of the British Navy has already begun. Stations have been tentatively established covering North American waters, the Mediterranean including the Black Sea and the Red Sea, the East Indies, China, Australia, and New Zealand. The lastmentioned station, though it exists so far in theory rather than in fact, , is an important command. Its boundaries leave the west coast of the Dominion and run due north to the equator, which they follow half way to South America. They then sweep towards the Antarctic in such a manner as to include practically the whole of the Polynesian Islands. It may be assumed that this division of the five oceans for naval purposes is not final, and that it will be reviewed in the light of Lord Jellicoe's recommendations. The whole situation has changed so radically that the Admiralty must feel its way towards the readjustment of its forces, and it . is not likely to neglect the detailed survey which Lord Jellicoe will be in a position to make on his return. To the outlying portions of the ' Empire the present prospect is emin- i ently satisfactory because it holds ] out hope of fuller naval protection , than Britain has been able to afford , for many a long year. It is true j that Britain is morally committed to ] a limitation of armaments, and Mr. , Lloyd George's renewed appeal for ] international trust is proof of her j pacific intentions. Nevertheless she i has in her existing navy sufficient { forces for the maintenance of aer } interests the world over. Lord ] Jellicoe's task is to indicate the most , profitable and economical employ- * ment of the fleet, having regard to } the growing importance of the 1 Pacific. The opening of the < Panama Canal has practically ( doubled the efficiency of the great i and friendly fleet ■ of America, but i there is a strong desire in New Zea- i land and Australia and on the west- 1 ern coast of Canada to secure safety i through self-reliance. The Domin- t ions will certainly press for a strong i British fleet in the Pacific, and the ( present arrangement, which divides I this great ocean among five stations, 1 cannot wholly meet with their an- c Fu° Va i A far as the sentiment of t the Dominions expresses itself it i will favour a co-ordination of the < naval efforts of the British countries < bordering the Pacific to provide a t navy which, supported by Imperial a reinforcements if necessary, will be e strong enough to guarantee the I safety of every British community < In principle this will involve no de- c parture from the established prac- I tice of Australia and New Zealand t tor several years Australia has t undertaken the responsibility of re- t storing the balance of naval power i

in the Pacific which' Britain was n< longer able to maintain. '' New Zea land has long made an annual con j, tribution to naval defence. All thai is now required is that she shoulc take a more personal , and direct interest in its expenditure. »he 3 _ must find men as well as money anc E encourage her sons to realise iheii E destiny on the sea. For guidance as 0 to the means by which she can besl L do this and co-ordinate her nava _. efforts with those of other parts oi 3- the Empire she looks to Lore y Jellicoe. E A better counsellor could not b< r- sought. Lord Jellicoe is not only i I- great strategist, but he is a great N naval scientist. No one is bettei 1 qualified to advise how the long - coast-line of the Dominion may mosl K readily be put in a state of defence against enemy warships, and his experience of the German submarine campaign and his direction oi counter-measures are a guarantee that the latest developments of war fare will be given their proper value in his recommendations. More thai this, Lord Jellicoe is an organiser of rare ability; indeed, of all his qualities, this was the one specially mentioned by Mr. Lloyd George when reviewing the admiral's service to the nation. Lord Jellicoe is a unique product of the British naval system. He has filled almost every responsible position ashore and afloat. He has directed strategy and he has formed policy. He has fostered scientific development, and he has organised the business side, He embodies the fighting spirit, the _ scientific mind, and the organising brain of the navy. In his personal qualities he is unassuming, generous, and chivalrous, lacking selfish I ambition, but filled with zeal for the service. His moral and intellectual qualities are typical of the fleet he : led in the crisis of its fate. Since New Zealand desires that her . effort, however small it may be, should at least be worthy of the traditions of the British Navy, she must deem herself fortunate in commanding the advice of so able and distinguished a sailor.