I ,14:17111tS TO TII I) ITO It.
THE STATE OF THE NAVY.
[To THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Admiral Montagu last week read into my letter published on December 8th opinions that were not expressed therein. He a Lys that I consider " that the civilian element ought to be more largely introduced, and that less of the Navy (particularly of the Admiralty) should sit on these Committees." If he will go through my letter again, Admiral Montagu will find that in no passage is any opinion expressed in favour of civilian as compared with naval membership of recent Admiralty Com- mittees. What is objected to is the system of secrecy that has prevailed in regard to the terms of reference, procedure, and Reports of these Committees the attempt to prejudice public opinion in favour of Admiralty action by en parte officious statements appearing in the Press, and obviously inspired ; and the tendency to convert the action of Admiralty officials—which action would have been taken ordinarily as part of their routine work—into special inquiries of great importance by associating a few outsiders, either civilian or naval, with these officials, and calling it a Committee. The " perpetual chairmanship " of the First Sea Lord is also shown to be objectionable and dangerous. No one who knows the facts can maintain that the Naval Service, as a whole, has been repre- sented either on the membership of the Committees, or in the evidence taken. In fact, the work of the Committees has been " rushed " ; in many cases it has been nothing more than an endorsement of Reports prepared beforehand. All this is not a matter of opinion, but of demonstrated fact. Admiral Montagu does not meet the charges by attributing to me opinions I have not expressed, and then expressing his admira- tion for naval as compared with civilian opinion.
The "plea for inquiry" which is urged throughout my letters rests absolutely on statements of facts, for all of which I have given "chapter and verse." It has nothing to do with personal opinions or the personality of the writer; anonymity has been observed simply that the questions raised might be discussed on their merits. The inquiry suggested requires the appointment of a competent and impartial tribunal, which shall examine into recent changes and ascertain the real feeling of the Naval Service in regard thereto. Admiral Montagu's final paragraph indicates his opinion that it will be impossible to appoint such a tribunal. In that opinion be differs from a great number of naval officers whose experience afloat and in Admiralty administration has been more con- siderable and more recent than his own.—I am, Sir, &c., ems.
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