A Sensational Speech

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 22, Issue 90, 21 November 1911, Page 7

A Sensational Speech

ENGLAND’ S NAVAL UNREADINESS SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS London, Nov. 19. Captain W. V. Faber, Unionist M.P. for Hants, delivered a remarkable speech at Andover, alleging that when the Moroccan situation was acute the Cabinet was divided as to whether it should stick to Prance. Mr Lloyd George absolutely upheld adhesion to Prance. The situation revealed the naval unpreparedness, hence Mr Winston Churchill’s appointment and his subsequent conference with Admiral Lord Charles Beresford, and his proposal for the creation of a war staff. When the pinch occurred the British fleet was divided, the first division being in the south of England, the second in Ireland, and tbe third in Scotland. At that moment the Admiralty lost sight of the German fleet, and the Cabinet did not know what was going on, but it was aware that Germany might attack the three fleets separately. The admiral in charge of one part of the seet knew tbe grave danger and asked the officer commanding the land forces if the fleet was safe under tbe coyer of tbe guns of tbe forts. Tbe latter replied that if the forts fired the gups would hit the fleet instead of covering it, The Cabinet Were wise enough to send Mr Churchill, their best man, to the Admiralty. Jn this emeigency Mr Churchill immediately wired to Admiral Lord Fisher to return from Switzerland; and consulted Lord Charles Beresford regarding a War Board to see that no further mistakes were made respecting coal and forts unable to protect tbe fleet. During the late. crisis, when the relations between France and Germany were strained, the idea was to send six divisions of regulars to help France, which would have left Britain defenceless except for tbe Navy. Captain Faber’s speech explains tbe withdrawal ofJLord Charles Beresfotd’s book two days after his interview with Me Churchill.

THE STATEMENTS CORRECTED , London, Nov. 19. The “ Observer ” corrects Captain Faber in several particulars. It says the fleet divisions at Cromarty, Boeyth, and the English Channel were never out of touch with the German fleet’s movements, lb adds that one envision could have held it up, as it consisted of 14 ships, three only' being Dreadnoughts. Another division could have smashed it.