LORD JELLICOE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17658, 23 June 1919, Page 6

LORD JELLICOE

ARRIVAL IN AUSTRALIA. GREAT RECEPTION AT ADELAIDE. Lord Jellicoe won a great personal triumph on his arrival in Adelaide on Sunday, May 25, states the Melbourne Age. H.M.S. New Zealand put in an oppearance in Sit. Vincent Gulf at i.he hour and tinmimito previously notified, and crept into the breaking dawn out of the blackness of tho west—a great grey thing, emblematic of the power and majesty of the British Navy. It had been arrmged that the famous battle cruiser should berth without any particular formalities, and that the representative of the State Governor, with the Premier and members of the Ministry, ?hould go to the Outer Harbour and recti vo the distinguished visitor during the afternoon. Consequently the Now Zealand was tied up with little more ceremony than would accompany tlio Oerthing of an ordi • cry tramp from overseas, but ihe dignity of tho vessel's appearance, and the animation on board, lifted the incident into a higher plane. The pomp and ceremony camo later. The public did not discover for several hours that the New Zealand instead of remaining at tiie anchorage until the time fixed for the Admiral to go ashore, had moved up to tho wharf. Early in the afternoon trains crowded to the footboards began to discharge their crowds, und :no numbers on tho wharf grew to immense proportions. • Lord Jellieoe twice left the vessel—the first time informally, to eccompaty Lady Jellicoe when sli3 was presented with bouquets by the Choor Up Society, and the second time to inspect the new hall of the Seamen's Institute, in connection with MisS'ons to Stamen. Lord jellicoe is vice president of this organisation, and he has ■visited the premises of the mission in every port at which ho las touched. His first stroll alon^ , the wharf for a few moments attracted but slight notice. Ibere -were many people awaiting the landing of returned .soldiers, and they soon learned that the famous sailor was passing. First half a dozen followed him, fcnd the crowd quickly swelled until there was a. great multitude in his train, anxious to get a glimpse of the great man. Admiral Jefficoe attended church service on the New Zealand during Ihe morn ing, and read ths lesson, a duty which he performs regularly on such occasions. Lady Jellicoe and members of fciitj staff also were present. During the afternoon the private secretary to the Governor (Sir Henry Galway), the Acting Minister of the Navy (Mr Poynton), the Minister of External Affairs (Mr Glynn), the State Premier (Mr Peake), ana members of the Ministry reached the Outer Harbour, and were rfrcerverl on board -tie New Zealand by Admiral and Lady Jellicoe. GneUtigs were erohnnged in the Admiral'? state-room, and later Lord and Lady jollicoe, accompanied by members of the Admiral's personal staff, motored to Government _ House, Adelaide. The visitors, on reniching the city, were accorded a most enthusiastic reception. There was a spontaneity and hoartiness in the ccclamation which denoted how the oopular imagination has been kindled bv the coming of the sreat loader in the Empire's first line of defence. When interviewed, Lord Jellicoe openly refused to comment either upon naval affairs or the object of his mission. "When asked about the strength of the British navy in certain respects at tho outbreak of tvar. and the reported unprotected nature of some of the bases of the Grand Fleet, he firmly declined to discuss the matter. He was reminded that he had written a good deal on this question, in his book, but he said writing in a book was one thing, and entering into discussion was another. Hβ had written his book as a simple statement of fact, but it appeared to have been taken up as a political matter, and he could not speak any further on the subject. Ho also declined to talk about the battle of Jutland, and when asked whether England had been in real danger at any period of the war of isolation from the outside world because of the submarine activities of the German navy, he cleverly parried the question. From first to last he seemed to desire to convey the impression that he had nothing of interest to tell, inasmuch as his mouth was closed on any subject of great importance. He made it quite clear that the programme of social functions is making inroads upon his time, and he expressed a desire to be able to evade tho pleasantries of the tour as much as possible during the duytime, in order to devote himself more closely than he had so far been able to do to the work of his mission. Lord Jelliooe is a man of rather less than average height, but is very erect, and with a dignity of carriage peculiarly his own. He looks sailorly and smart in the uniform of an Admiral of the Fleet, but there is no austerity in his demeanour.. His face 13 lit up by a most kindly smile at the slightest inducement, and he is apparently endowed with an abundance of good humour Officers of his personal staff and of the New Zealand spoke of him in highest terms. Lady Jellicoe also is most gracious and approachable, and walks aboiit the decks of the New Zealand chatting freely wit* ,the officers.