“ TAKING CHARGE! ”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3712, 23 December 1912, Page 5

“ TAKING CHARGE! ”

MR. CHURCHILL AND NAVY MATTERS. ACCUSED OF ASSUMINC EXECUTIVE EQUALLY WITH ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS. THE BRIDGEMAN INCIDENT REVIVED. [UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT] (Received Dec. 22, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 22. In the House of Commons Lord Charles Beresford (Unionist) accused Mr. Churchill (First Lord of the Admiralty) of assuming executive equally with administrative functions. This was exemplified in Sidney Street, and similarly at the Admiralty. He interfered and took charge during the manoeuvres.

Mr. Churchill: That is absolutely untrue! No order or instruction, directly or indirectly, was sent by me. Lord Beresford: “Taking charge” is a naval expression. You probably don’t understand.

Mr. Bonar Law (Leader of the Unionists) remarked that Admiral Sir F. C. Bridgemari interpreted Mr. Churchill’s first letter as making it optional for him to resign. He replied that he was well enough to continue his duties, and then came Mr. Churchill’s second and most insulting letter, intimating that- Admiral Bridgeman’s resignation had already been arranged.

Mr Churchill read the whole of the correspondence, whereupon Mr. Bonar Law remarked: “Had I received a letter like your second letter to Admiral Bridgeman 1 should have considered myself bnitallv ill-used.”

The subject then dropped, and the House adjourned till the 20th. The “Times" declares that Mr. Churchill’s frank statement in the Bridgeman case should prove conclusive. The subject has been overlaid with prejudice, the paper says, and confused by all sorts of unworthy insinuations.

The “Daily Mail” says Mr. Churchill’s speech dissipates all suspicions. He dealt vigorously with Lord Clias. Beresford’s insinuations, which must be attributed to the imagination of one who suffered disappointment rather than to any real knowledge. Many newspapers consider that Mr. Churchill had the better of the deal, and that his action was justified.