ADMIRALS AT VARIANCE.

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15359, 6 October 1923, Page 8

ADMIRALS AT VARIANCE.

FUTURE OF BATTLESHIPS.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. LONDON, October 4

A lively debate between admirals took plac ( e at the United Service Institution, when Sir Dovelon Sturdee lectured on the importance of battleships and cruisers. Sir Percy Scott, invited to open the debate, said he did not want to ask the lecturer a question which lie knew he could not answer./ Admiral Sturdee, amid laughter, pressed for the question. Sir Percy Scott: The question is, what arc you going to do with your battleships if we go to war with France?

Sir Doveton Sturdee: France is our close ally .and I do not think it wise to discuss the matter here. Sir Percy: That’s why I did not want to ask the question, but you would have it.

Sir Doveton: Your point is that battleships are of no use. I say the battleship is a reply to the battleship of any foreign power. Admiral Scott: Why did the battleships in the Mediterranean run from submarines?

Admiral Sturdee; The battleships were kept off the enemy coasts, where tiiere were submarines.

Sir Percy Scott compared the Admiralty with a silly mother, who sent her children into the street when mtoor-cars were dashing about. Admiral Sturdee asked Sir Percy whether he was prepared not to build battleships when foreign powers were building them. Admiral Scott: Yes, but I would build something instead.

Asked what he would build, Sir Percy replied “I will only tell the Admiralty, and I don't think it is likely they will ask me.’’

Admiral Sturdee defended the Singapore base and argued that it was of -vital integrity to the commonwealth of nations that means should be taken to ensure that their communications should not be severed.