ADMIRALTY DISPUTE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXI, Issue 9699, 2 November 1909, Page 5

ADMIRALTY DISPUTE.

PREMIER'S REPLY TO LORD

BERESFORD

Press Association—Electric Telegraph—Copyright.

(Received Last Night, at 10.2-5 0.m.)

LONDON, Yesterday,

Further correspondence has passed between Admiral Lord Charles Beresford and Mr Asquith, Prime Minister, relating to naval matters. A week ago Lord Charles published certain letters, aud protested against the Admiralty's treatment of the officers who gave evideuce at the naval inquiry. He cited the cases of RearAdmiral Sturdee aud Captain Hnlbert aud Commander Campbell, aud accused the Admiralty of extemporising a reorgauisatiou, involving a chauge of personnel, with a viow to ridding the Admiralty Staff of his supporters. .Lord Charles added that five captains had declined to act as his Chief Staff Officer iv 1907, because they feared that acceptance of the post would prejudice their future careers.

Mr Asquith now sharply rebukes Lord Charles Beresford for publishing the correspondence without giving him an opportunity to reply, aud concludes by expressing profound regret "that au officer of your experience and distinction should be responsible for such a letter. It is difficult to recoucile your actiou with the tradition of the service.''

The Prime Miuister eucloses a detailed reply furnished by Mr McKeuua, First Lord of the Admiralty, showing promotious granted on Lord Charles Beresford's staff, a number which, Mr McKenua believes, is unprecedented from a single ship.

Lord Charles Beresford, in replying, repeats that a system of espionage, favouritism, aud intimidation exists at the Admiralty which is ruining the spleudid morale of the Navy.

Mr Asquith, iv au earlier reply, enclosed a memorandum by the Admiralty, alleging the necessity for the reorganisation of the Naval Intelligence Department, which had caused Captain Huibert and Commander Campbell to be placed ou the half-pay list. The Prime Miuister stated that he could trace no breach of the undertaking that no officer's career should be prejudiced owing to his giving evideuce.

The Cabinet Committee of inquiry, which was presided over by Mr Asquith, issued its report in August last. It fouud that no dauger had resulted from the Admiralty's plans. It regretted the absence of cordial relations between the Board of Admiralty aud the commander-in-chief of the Channel fleet. The Admiralty apparently had not takeu Lord Charles Beresford sufficiently into its confidence, while he had failed to carry out the spirit of the board's instructions, or to recognise its paramount authority.