NAVAL LESSONS OF THE WAR.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16455, 6 June 1919, Page 8

NAVAL LESSONS OF THE WAR.

SIR D. BEATTY IN LIVERPOOL.

TRIBUTE-TO MERCHANT NAVY. At a reception in Liverpool on March 29, Sir David Beatty said that Liverpool had borne a great part in the naval vrar, a part fitting and commensurate with her standing as one of the greatest ports in, the world. She became, indeed, the principal base of the 10th Cruiser Squadron, the creation of which was in itself an achievement of which the city might well be proud. Not only were tiio ships Liverpool ships, aimed and equipped by Liverpool firms, but the crews that manned them wore mostly Liverpool men. They became an integral part of his Majesty’s Navy and of the Grand Fleet. , The bond of union, the Royal Navy and the Mercantile Marine, in the great brotherhood of the sea had become closer and more real. “We have come to understand eacli other as wo never did before,” said Sir David. “The magnificent qualities displayed and tho services rendered by the officers and crew of the Mercantile Marine have filled every member of the Royal Navy with admiration and pride. The duty of the 10th Cruiser Squadron was to maintain a vigorous blockade of Germany. This blockade was one of tho most important factors in bringing about the defeat of the enemy, and it.> maintenance demanded seamanship of a high order with vigilance and untiring devotion to duty.” He referred with pride to the exploits of tho squadion, its contests with submarines, the sinking of the Grief by the Andes and Cantara, and the fight of the Caymanian with the Cap Trafalgar. They in tho Navy realised, and appreciated to the full,, the great part played by that famous city. ■

MISTAKES IN THE WAR. “In common with the other great sendees, the Navy had learnt many lessons during the 41 years just past. We made many mistakes, and it is our business to-day to see that the lessons have been taken to heart, and that we shall not again be found in such a state that we have to face the greatest crisis in history with improvised methods, working from hand to mouth. It may be said that the result was good enough with such methods; but was it? We have surely uo right to continue to rely on improvisation or to take it for granted that eventualities will always bo met by the successful achievement of individual cities under the leadership of individual citizens. We in the Navy know well onr defects, and it is our business to face them, to leave no stono unturned to avoid a repetition of tlie mistakes from which we have suffered in the past. The work of reconstruction has to be taken in hand with a full knowledge of our requirements, learnt by bitter experience in the past years. It must be our endeavour to profit by that experience. The Navy i.s to-day what it has been for the past 200 years, the, sure shield of Britain and the British Empire. The more repetition of this very true and well-known phrase will not ensure that we remain so. The -suro shield must bo kept sure. Clear thinking and concentrated effort on scientific lines ,in tho necessary struggle for retrenchment and such economics as certainly will be required must be applied with wisdom and a proper understanding of the problems before us in the light of the knowledge gained during the war. Only so shall we avoid impairing the essential efficiency of the Navy. The Navy is a shield, and not a rattling sabre. (Cheers).

‘‘We are a sea race. Wo came into being by the sea. We exist by the sea, and if there is one thing that has been exemplified more than anything else it is that we still remain a sea race. the glorious exploits of our Mercantile Marine. Nothing daunted by submarine or mine, they .maintained the traditions of our race. No ship ever failed to sail for want of a crew, a British crew, to man her. Liverpool, as.the home of a largo portion of our mariners, must feel a special pride in such a reflection. With such material it should bo easy indeed to preserve our heritage under wise and skilful' guidance. I have said before that tho Royal Navy and the Mercantile Marine have been drawn together under the vicissitudes of war and have learnt to know and respect each other as never before. It must bo our care to foster and strengthen that feeling so that in the future and for all time the Royal Navy and the Mercantile Marino together shall provide the sure shield which will enable the Empire to continue to prosper and remain the greatest empire that the world has ever seen.” (Cheers). After tho ceremony the Admiral and Lady Beatty drove through the city with tho Lord Mayor and a military escort.

LORD DERBY ON OUR DUTY TO FRANCE. \ At a banquet held at tho Town Hall in tho evening, Lord Derby, speaking of tho intense love of the French for the soil of their country, said that when they saw the devastated areas ruined beyond repair they had an intense sympathy with them. He expressed sympathy with the French people in their anxiety for the future. “I think it is up, to us,” he declared, “to say that if there should be any attempt again to cross that frontier by an ambitious foe, just as wo stood by our pledge to Belgium so will wo stand in our friendship to France. The soil sacred to Frenchmen is equally snored to us now that tho blood of the best of our nation has watered it. I proposed© ho absolutely silent on the subject of the League of Nations, bu I feel that if anything can bo found that can save future generations from the horrors from which we have suffered, then in Heaven’s name ler, us give it a trial. _ (Cheers.) The best foundation on which to build it is a strong alliance, a deep and lasting friendship, between ourselves, France, and America supported by the British Navy.” (Cheers).