The sun., 1908-07-09
COMMONS TAKEUpNAVALR ROW
ADMIRAL BERESFORD MAY BE
FORCED TO RESIGN.
Premier Asauith Anecta Ignorance or
Squabbles Between Omcers. but Gives
Some One Solemn Warning-P0litics
In the situation Parliament May Act.


Special Cable Dsspatoh TO TEE SUN.
LONDON. July a.-The condition OF AZ
fairs In the navy. Of which tho serious frio-
ton existing between Admiral Lord Charles
Beresford eand Rear Admiral Sir Percy
Scott is merely an incident, and the oon-
tinued and apparently concerted move
ment to secure Beresfords downfall con-
tinues to attract the greatest attention In
Parliamentary circles and is the general
subject Of discussion everywhere.
The matter was brought directly before
the House Of Commons this afternoon.
when Carlyon Wilfroy Bellairs. Liberal
member from Kings Lynn. and the only
naval officer now having seat In the House.
asked Prime Minister Asquith whether
the Government intended to take any steps
looking to the alleviation Of the dissensions
among the senior naval officers or would
endeavor to arrive at complete knowledge
OF the origin and merits Of the antagonism.
John Gordon Swift MacNeill. an Irish
Nationalist member from Donegal. asked
whether these dissensionS were not danger
ousy inpairing the efficiency of the naval
establishment. and whether it was not true
that as long as the dissensions continue
the lives OF an the seamen on board the
ships commanded by the rival officers are
fmperilled.
Mr.. Asquith replied that the Government
at present had no knowledge Of the dis
sensions apart from unveri1ed rumors.
II the Government found any reason to be-
lieve that state Of things existed which
was in any way detrimental to the discipline
or smooth working Of the feet. prompt and
effective action would be taken without
hesitation.
In conclusion. Mr.. Asquith said that the
direction Of the oountry's naval policy
lay with the Government and that 1t was
the business Of the naval officers neither to
discuss nor to oriticise the policy adopted.
Their duty, he said. was to carry out that
policy as outlined to them. with loyalty
to their superiors, In harmony with one
another. and with an eye single to the COM
pletest efficiency Of the great service to
which they belonged.
The Premter's declaration Of ignorance
regarding the dissensions is not regarded
as an official avowal that they do not exist.
1t Is assumed that this part Of the Minis
terial statement Is intended to be taken
in Piokwickian sense and that the re-
mainder of the answer was designed to
convey a solemn warning to those oon-
cerned to compose their quarrels.
The general applause which greeted Mr..
Asquith's carefully compiled remarks in
the House Of Commons is echoed In the
editorials in the morning papers, which
pronounce the Premier's utterances to be
very clear and most satisfactory. The
matter, however, is in no wise disposed Of,
and fresh crop Of rurnors receives prom
inence In the news columns. All Of these
are tinctured by the editorial attitude
adopted IN the controversy by the different
newspapers,
The Daily Ne,ns, Ministerial organ,
which opposes Admiral Beresford, delivers
a sort of ultimatum from the Gov ernment,
asserting that with the inadequate feet now
under his command he Is unable to guaran-
tee security against attack, and that Ad-
miral Beresford thus intends to choose his
own ground for resigning.
The Chronicle, which Is also Ministerial
organ, says 1t learns that when the present
maneuvres are ended Admiral Beresford
will have offered to him an opportunity for
submitting to constituted authorities or
retiring.
It is impossible to judge as 10 the truth Of
these and other rumors. Political prejudioes
are so mixed up with the discussion of the
whole question, and Beresfordsm and
anti -Beresfordism are 80 rampant that the
real inwardness Of the matter is completely
beclouded.
The Daily Ne,os, which. although it is not
a Government mouthpiece, has certain
amount of reputation as Ministerial organ.
declares it is inevitable that the question
will sooner or later come under the survey
of Parliament and there be probed and
o;ftad