Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1908-08-15
Bitter Row
In British Navy
GREAT BRITAIN IS NOW GOING
THROUGH A SEASON OF
NAVY CRITICISM

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Charles Dixie. recognized as Eng
lands foremost authority on naval
and military affairs, was interview
ed at the House of Commons with ref
erence to the scandals in the British
navy among high officials.
"As the navy is our first line Of de-
fense," said Sir Charles, anything
affecting that institution must be re-
garded as vital to the welfare of En-
gland; and must admit that the dis
sessions in the higher navy circles
are very grave. Unfortunately, they
have been going on for long time.
There is no possibility of denying
them, or minimizing their serious
ness.
"The reorganization of the army of
England has been engaging the pub
lie attention recently, and too little
has been said about the navy. Army
affairs are occupying an undue
amount of public attention. The ar
my, in my opinion, need not be trout
bled about. It makes little difference
to England what sort of home army
she has.
"Of course. we want good expe-
dictionary force for oversee work; a
thoroughly mobile force. that can be
put aboard the transports at mo-
ments notice. but no thought need
be given to our home army. 1t is not
at all necessary. in fact. The money
that Is expended on home force
should all go toward building up the
navy.
81 am afraid these revelations are
only the beginnings, and there will
doubtless be much more to follow. I
am not at liberty, however, to discuss
this matter Just at the present mo-
ment."
While Sir Charles Dixie would not
commit himself to further particu-
lars, another expert in naval affairs
who was interviewed was more out
spoken. His name cannot be used,
but the Duke of Connaught recently
referred to him as "the best authority
on military history that we have"
81 agree" he said, with Fighting
Bob Evans of the United States when
he said that what we want for our
service is real men and not party pol
itic.ans. The whole trouble with En-
glands sea policy today is that lot
of vote-catching politicians have got
1 In instead of the experts who should
ha ut f,fp No ,.u
81 attribute the present state OF
affairs In the navy to Admiral Fisher,
and the great influence he has with
the King. He has ruined the army
by his inefficiency, and he Is running
the navy. The trouble seems to be
that Fisher is so much In favor with
the King that no one likes to criticise
him openly out of feeling of 10y
lalty."
What has Admiral Fisher done to
weaken the British navy?" was ask
cd.
"He is guilty of so many errors"
was the reply, that it is hard to tell
where to begin. 1t is due to Fisher
that the following things have taken
place: The dismantling of many nee
essary naval stations; the withdrawal
of naval forces from large areas of
the ocean-such as the Pacific. for
instance, which England has lost en-
tirely; the reduction of workmen and
dock-yards; the reduction of the per-
sonnet of the navy. He has also in
augurated a short service on the
fleet, with no reserve, such as is pro-
vided in France and Germany. Our
present system of providing seamen
for our navy Is the worst possible one.
There should be some form of COM
pulsory naval training.
when the army was reorganized
the new army council, with Fisher at
the head, deliberately kicked out all
the best men, and the system is being
applied to naval affairs. 1t is hard to
see where the matter will end.
J 81 will add, In conclusion, that En-
: gland is now facing one of the great
; est naval and military crises In her
history"