Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-29
KING GOOD LISTENER
Forms Own Opinions, How
ever, and Acts Accordingly.
HONORS SIR JOHN FISHER
Latter's Great Work at Admiralty
Nearly Finished.
DEATH OF POPULAR LOND0NER
King Manuel's Visit to London.
Fire Ravages Lord Anglesey's
Country Home.
HONORS SIR JOHN FISHER
DEATH OF POPULAR L0NDoNER
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

Special Correspondence OF The Star.
LONDON, November 10. 1909.
The peerage conferred upon Sir John
Fisher Is the reply of the king and the
government to the Beresford faction, and
will be very disagreeable to the members
of the syndicate of discomfort. Sir John
has always enjoyed the kings confidence
and is honored with his friendship. This
has continued to spite of incessant ef-
forts to discredit him in the eyes of
King Edward. The king. however, lis
tens to whatever ,is said to him, but
forms his own opinions and comes to his
own decisions. He was shrewd enough
to see that the work of undermining the
British feet and of distributing it in &C
cordance with the new strategy conditions
was conceived by Sir John, while the adj
mirals who criticised him thought neither
of one nor the other They awoke one
morning to find their ideas antiquated
have. naturally. disliked the man who
put them on the shelf. | think. there
fore that we shall hear little more of
the anti-Fisher intrigue. Lord Charles
Beresford has shot all his arrows, and
in parliament, if he ever gets there. he
will find small support except from an
extreme rump.
There has been much curious specula-
ton i'm private as to the inner meaning
of the two visits paid to the king last
week by the first lord of the admiralty
Some people have drawn from these
visits the conclusion that Mr.. McKenna
was placing his resignation in the hands
of the king, as was rumored some time
active politics in this country to under
take a high administrative position
abroad.
There is, however, a simpler explana-
ton of these visits. This Is the time of
the year when the admiralty estimates
are framed, and Mr.. McKenna was ac-
quainting his majesty with the details
of his program for next year. The king
takes a profound interest in the present
naval situation, and takes care to be
fully informed about the growth of for
eign navies in comparison with the Brit
ish. This interest has fncrea sed of late
years, and all plans and estimates are
| submitted to him. His judgment in naval
matters Is said to be excellent.
He has also been very much disturbe
by the lost plans of the new Indomita BILE,
and Mr.. Mckenna was explaining to him
how these plans were lost and what pre-
cautions were being taken to prevent flu
ture losses Of the same kind.
The question of Sir John Fishers sue
cessor was also under review. The time
cannot now be far distant when Sir John
| must retire. His great work at the adj
miralty is nearly finished. 1t remains
now only to insure that his traditions will
be carried on by sympathetic success
sor.
The new o1der that an electrician is to
serve In eQgtAin Of the latest battleships
and firs<-cfass cruisers, instead of an en-
eine-room artificer. Is a sign Of the in
creasing Importance of electrical ma
chinery on board ship as compared with
that operated by steam. Great Britain is
behind America in this respect I believe
remember a dozen years ago interview
ing Admiral Melville in Washington and
he was then keen on the naval use of
electricity.