10 JUNE 1916, Page 2

The whole, conduct of the battle on the British side

was glorious in its audacity, and we feel sure we shall be able to say when Admiral Jellieoe's despatch appears that it was also great in its skill. Every Admiral, every commander, fought his ship with an Elizabethan fury. .Admiral Beatty went out to engage the enemy. He could do so only at short range owing to the bad light, therefore he fought at short range, though that was an unfavourable condition for his battle-cruisers. The whole tradition of the British Navy is expressed in his decision. , "It would have warmed your heart," he wrote to Sir Hedworth Meter, "to see the gallant Hood leading his division into action with the most inspiring courage." Alas ! that fine seaman, Admiral Hood, went down with his ship the 'Invincible,' and added another honour to the annals of one of the most famous of naval families. Sir it Arbuthnot was also killed or drowned while "engaging the enemy more closely." The thousands of brave men who perished died to keep the "sure shield" fixed between the tyrant and every British home. Lot it be the part of all truo Englishmen never to fail in their gratitude, and to prove that gratitude by never, grudging the Navy the material support it has so richly and gloriously earned.