New-York tribune., 1909-03-03
THE TWO ADMIRALS
Retirement of the Best Sea Dog
NaTaL Peace Strategy.
London. February Il.


first sea lord and admiral of the fleet, and the
second sea lord, Sir William May, will carry out
! the Admiraitys policy of concentration bY
which the Channel fleet will become a division
of the main fleet. Lord Charles Beresford wheh
his shortened term of two years in command OF
the Channel squadron expires next month VIII
haul down his flag and retire from active ser
vice. His compulsory retirement under the age
rule will be deferred for years, but he is not
likely to have additional experience at sea. His
partisans are clamoring for his appointment as
one of the sea lords but that is impracttcdhie so
long as his rival. Sir John Fisher, is at the Ad-
uiraIty. The feuds in the navy are to be sup
pressed and the faction warfare of the two press
gangs is TO be brought to an end. Sir Percy Scott
has already been assigned to a remote command
Lord Charles Beresford Will be sent into retire
Inent the Channel fleet is to lose its prestige and
be merged in z comprehensive scheme OF
naval defence, and the first sea lord, who has
sufficient fexibility for getting on with the Lib
eral government will be without rival afoat or
ashore.
Lord Charles Beresford, having done every
thing in his power to increase the efficiency OF
the lighting service is likely to remain in
retirement when his flag comes down. He Will
stand for Parliament on the Unionist side, and
become one of the most vgisnt and aggressive
critics of economies which impair the striking
force of the navy. The fighting strain which
was disclosed in the Condor exploit at Alex
andra, in the command of the naval brigade at
Abu Klea and in the rescue of Wilson from the
Nile dervfshes has made him the most popular
admiral in the navy. He has strong follow
ing among the younger and more ambitious men
in the navy and his attractive personality and
racy qualities have many supporters In
public life. While he has been in active service
he has been unable to take part in discussions
of naval policy, but his liberty will he restored
when he returns to Parliament, and his expert
ence in handling fleets and managing large
bodies of men will strengthen his appeals Tor
effective sea power, He will make a gallant
fight for his principles in out Of Parliament
and be the chief advocate Of a powerful navy
There may be another round in the duel WIN
Sir John Fisher, and he VIII he the hero or a
naval group which considers lighting sea dog
a greater reinforcement for the service than
score of Admiralty strategists.
The changes effected by naval peace strategy
are not easily followed outside the Admiralty
For half a century the most powerful war VeS-
sells were grouped as the Channel fleet, and the
name implied defensive armaments against
France. The establishment OF the entente made
it desirable to change the disposition OF the
squadrons, and the arrangements were be-
wildering. Four or FIVE years ago the Channel
squadron transformed into the Atlantic
fleet operating between the Irish coast and
| Gibraltar and keeping in touch with the rem
nant of the Mediterranean fleet. What mad been
known the home fleet was converted into the
! Channel fleet, and Lord Charles Beresford was
put in command of it, simultaneously new
/ home fleet was organized for operations in the
North Sea and this has been gradually
strengthened, until under the new system of
naval concentration the Channel fleet is to be
merged with it, and two additional divisions of
! reserves with nucleus crews To be attached
to it. 1t might have been called the North Sea
fleet but the designation Of the home fleet was
preferred as less provocative. This fleet. in
Guiding as many twenty-five Of the best bat
tleships and cruisers fully manned for perma-
nent service, will be under the command of Sir
William May, In addition will be the reserves
at the More, Portsmouth and Devonport. with
as many eighteen battleships with three
ffths of their crews in service In an emer-
gency this powerful fleet can be reinforced with
dozen battleships from the Atlantic and Medi-
terranean fleets.
! This is the scheme of peace strategy upon
which Sir John Fisher has been concentrating
his energies for a long time It masses the
most efficient resources OF naval defence
that there is an irresistible striking force for
an emergency, with reserves and reinforcements
close at hand. With Dreadnoughts, Lord Mel
sons, Edward VII battleships. Indomitables,
Minotaurs and armored cruisers destroyers and
submarine hotilIas, there viii be in the first
IL
nearly 100 and inch guns 1t viii be
the most formidable fleet afoat. and at any
moment it will be ready for war: and behind
| II are reserves which will become available
with the least possible delay the problem of
rapid mobilization having heen solved with
nucleus crews for ships in The bases
of this mighty fleet are the North Sea from
Dover 10 Cromarty Firth, and the best ships of
every class are included in the muster. With
L. and
formida bic for sudden attack, the "Englishman's
home is apparently safe. whatever may be the
present state of the territorial forces the
theatrical incidents portrayed at Wyndham's
Theatre Unity OF direction IS also provided
Sir William May will command upon the out
break Of every ship in commission in Brit
sh waters Reinforcements. and reserves win
be called up by Sir John Fishers wireless tele-
grams from the Admiralty, and there will be
single control over all the sea power resources
of home defence.
Lord Charles Beresford's devoted admirers
assert that he ought to be ia command of this
splendid armada. Certainly other admiral
has better reputation a practical seaman
and experienced disciplinarian. The creation
of main seagoing feet in home waters has
been the principal motive of his strenuous
career and he has unriValled qualities for train
ing it for scientific warfare His premature dis
missal when a work for which he is pre-emi-
nently qualified is awaiting a great organizer
is public misfortune. Lord Charles BeFes
ford's partsans consider it a final proof Of
Csesarsm at the Admiralty, when he has been
exposed year after year to indignities and hu-
initiation and constantly obstructed in his
efforts strengthen the naval defences and
maintain fleet Of supreme fighting efficiency.
They hardly venture TO deny that it is i'm
practicable for Sir John Fisher and Lord Charles