New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-08
Ex Head of British
A d miralty Would
Reappoint Fisher.
CHARGES BOARD
LACKS VITALITY
Regrets Uttering Earring
Note" Says Labor Prob
lem Must Be Solved.

London, March Winston s. Church
i'll, former First Lord Of the Admiralty.
now a colonel and fresh from the
trenches, sprang back into the parlia-
mentary arena to-day in daring
speech in answer 20 his successor at
the Admiralty, A. J. Balfour. who had
just presented the naval estimates, de-
claring that the Admiralty lacked driv-
ing force and must be reyitalizec be-
fore it was too late by bringing back
Lord Fisher, the former First Sea
Lord, to head the Admiralty admins
tration.
Mr.. Balfour had just concluded an
optimistic statement, remarking notably
that the tonnage of the navy had been
increased by 100000 since the begin.
ming OF the war. This had strongly
appealed to the patriotic sentiments Of
the House Of Commons, so that Colonel
Churchll's criticisms were at first cold
ly received. But he gradually gathered
attention and applause, until he closed
amid scene Of much enthusiasm.
81 am sorry must strike jarring
note" he said, mot of reprosch, CEN
sure or panic, but Of warning. While
Admiral Jellicoe commands the rand
feet il will be maneuvred in the pres
ence Of the enemy with the utmost pro-
fessional skill. We must not believe
that Germany will be content TO allow
her feet to lie impotent and derided in
the Kiel Canal. We must assume that
something has happened in the German
naval yards and that Germany has com
pleted her programme.
Must Adhere to Building Schedule.
az our programme, too, has not been
completed, solid reasons must be given
10 justify the postponement and delay.
There must be no unconscious relaxs-
ton Of efforts at the Admiralty, for IL
a shortage Of naval material occurs it
will give no chance Of future recovery
Colonel Churchill created some stir
by asking whether the Admiralty was
keeping the shipbuilding programme to
the time TO which ne ana the previous
board had been working. He declared
that there should be no limit of labor
/ in connection with the British feet, the
vital units OF which must be the first
charge on British labor resources.
These new ships are what the coun-
try relies on TO meet and overcome any
further development Germany may nave
made"
the Queen Elizabeth type, armed with
/ l5-inch guns, that had been planned
during his administration OF the navy
/ Parliament had sanctioned fourteen
such ships with l5-inch guns, and
| twelve we're actually started before the
war began. II all these had been safely
completed, he declared, then the margin
of safety had been adequately secured.
But no details were forthcoming as 10
progress.
New Programme Needed.
Resides the rapid carrying out OF the
| former programme respecting capitai
shins Colonel Churchill maintained
that il was essential to have further
new programme, adding: we must
provide not only against Germanyis for
ner known programme, but also her
unknown programme, which she surely
has been developing to the utmost,
Already the country had felt the
grave effect of a shortage OF ammunl-
tion. and il there should now come
shortage in naval equipment, he CON
tended. il would cause irreparable loss.
at is with a deep sense OF responsi-
bilitv that these words OF warning are
sroLen." continued Colonel Churchill.
III is not too late for action, and the
Admiralty must hurl itself into the
task OF meeting every requirement"
Referring 20 Mr. Balfour's statement
- a, .be chief restriction on naval con-
.truction va. labor, Colonel Churchill
d,clared that when the navy was at
stake there could be no Limitation by
labor. II the First Lord OF me Ae-
miraItv found this difficulty, then IL