THE BRITISH NAVY

Otago Witness, Issue 2902, 27 October 1909, Page 25

THE BRITISH NAVY

LONDON, October 22. At the cutlers' feast '(Sheffield) Sir 1 Reginald Talbot (ex-Governor of Victoria) dwelt on the necessity for an adequate navy as a protection from invasiqn. "Sir Edward Grey, speaking later, declared so far* as Great Britain was concerned their protection from invasion was insufficient. If tshs Empire was to be preserved the navy must also keep the s»ea communications open. The outlook in international politics was hopeful. The manner in which the Balkan, Persian, and Moroccan troubles had been met was a good augury for the future. — - October '25. ;' Admiral Lord Charles Beresford publishes a long correspondence with Mr ' Asquith protesting against the Admiralty's ■ treatment of officers who gave evidence lat the naval inquiry. He cites the cases |of Rear-admiral Sturdie and Captains Hulbert and Campbell, and accuses the Admiralty of extemporising a reorganisation involving a change of personnel with a view to lidding the Admiralty staff of his supporters. Admiral Beresford adds that five captains declined to , act as his chief staff officer in 1907, , because they feared that their acceptance

of the position would prejudice their futme careers. Mr Asquith. in replying, encloses the Admiralty's memorandum alleging the necessity for the reorganisation of the Naval Intelligence- Department, -which caused Captains Hulbert and Campbell t-c be placed on half-pay. Mr Asquith states that he can trace no breach of the undertaking that no officer's career should be prejudiced owing to his giving evidence.