29 MAY 1909, Page 3

Sir George Armstrong then went on to read a letter

from Mr. Bellaire which describes how in 1906, just before the assembly of the new Parliament, he met Sir John Fisher, who " entrusted him with confidential papers dealing with the whole range of naval policy." In a letter dated February 2nd, 1906, Sir John Fisher wrote : "I have complete confidence in you," and he went on to ask for written comments "where you think anything erroneous." Mr. Bellaire stated that it was after a close study of these papers that he made his speech in the House of Commons on March 1st. From that day, he tells us, he became a target for abuse from all quarters under Admiralty control or inspiration.