New-York tribune., 1912-08-15
Sir GEORGE and the Admiralty.

Sir George Armstrong, VINO is pdsheH-
ger on board the Adriatic, will be recalled
bv many as that retired lieutenant OF the
rovaI navy and subsequent newspaper
owner and editor who played so irnpor-
tsnt a part in terminating the torne'
dictatorship Of Lord Fisher az the Ad-
miraltv by publishing letters whlch 'he
admiral had been exchanging with SUP
ordinate officers Of the feet commanoco
nv Lord Charles Beresford, criucisinS'
undermining and rldiculng the latter
Tb4s. letters. which Fisher had com
mandod and finally obtained from the
officers in question, notably from captain
Reginald Bacon, r. N, he caused 10 DC
printed for Office use, and also Tor private
circulation among the officers VINO hao
,aken part with him against Beresforo'
One Of these pamphlets fell INTO tne
hands OF Sir George Armstrong. VINO puo-
NshsA il for the purpose OF showing tnal
Fisher had not only encouraged olsIoy-
atty and in,ubordination among the per-
.onnel Of Beresford's fleet but had com
nunieated directly with the latters cap
,ains instead of doing so through tneir
,driral as is strictly required by the
naval regulations.
The exposure created an immense SEN
sstion, exciting the keenest interest," III
naval circles all over the world, ana leo
~ The retirement Of Fisher from the
frat sea lordship Of the Admiralty. 10 the
retirement OF Captain Reginald Bacon
who had reached flag rank within re"
days Of his being shelved. and also that
Of LORD Charles Beresford, who received
by way of consolation the Grand cross
Of the Bath from the King. Sir George
Armstrong action in publishing the
pamphlet was universally commended as
putting an end 10 an era Of oackoitlng,
ueaehery 10 superior officers and lack OF
loyal cornradeship that had sprunS up
among the commissioned men OF the navy
under the administration OF Lord t1sher
u Whitehall.
II must be a source Of regret 10 air
George Armstrong that Winston Church-
VI now at the head Of the Admiralty mas
called Lord Fisher out of his retirement
TO become. az chairman Of naval COM
mittee on fuel, his most innuental s"-
wiser
Sir George. who is the son and grand
son OF distinguished soldiers, 10 sun
the owner and editor Of The PeopIe'
but has sold The Globe one or the
principal London evening papers' 10 the
ownership and editorship OF whlch ne
ucceeded ON the death OF his father
rndsr his direction both these papers
have always been very friendly 10 the
United States; but his father, the nrsl
baronet a Crimean veteran, ihVaioed
out OF the service for severe wounds our
log the Indian Mutiny, did not ike Amer
lea or Americans, and took every oppoi-
unity Of expressing his feelings
One Of the most amusing instances Oh
this was offered by strongly woroeo
editorial in THE Globe" against AhleIi-
can chorus girls. whom he denounced iof
The familiarity with which they treat
the audience in the stalls (orchesua
seats) and boxes" The article went on
10 declare that 1T was amusing when
Tor the first time a vivacious singer ao
dressed remarks 20 the audience an'
pardonable when she even smiled al some
Particular gentleman, but II ceases 10
divert and becomes objectionable wheh
he whole chorus devotes itself altogether
10 winking and smiling at the audience.
The article closes as follows: NO one
can doubt that this modern free and easy
spirit, with its increasing familiarity ana
even impudence. tends TO drag musicai
comedy into the mire. The descent from
me Savoy operas TO the American I'M
porlstion. In which the chorus girl osies
me audience, has been swift and pam
fpl."
The fear thus expressed by the ola
oaronet lest tine "impudence' OF Amen-
esn chorus girls should by It's influence
impair the "maldeDly reserve" and strict
Wopriety' Of the London women OF a
,'nilsr profession at the Gasety' VINO
ssSe already entangled some two dozen
D'itsh peers IN the matrimonial net ~
'Aceedingly funny. and Sir Georges pom
asrous editorial on so frivolous subject
s'emed suggestive Of the shooting OF
"u''erhy with blunderbuss.
"sms One TO coniurs with in Orient
VI Phtlip Sassoou who is arriving also