"Hands Off the Navy"

One of the pet projects which the Labor Ministry planned to scrap was that of the Singapore Naval Base (TIME, Dec. 24).

Lord Chelmsford, Conservative First Lord of the Admiralty* in the Labor Cabinet, submitted Admiralty views on the matter and it leaked out that the First Sea Lord, Admiral Lord Beatty, had threatened to resign. Ominous growls were heard. Then the news was published that the Government intended to send one of the floating docks, surrendered by Germany, to Singapore instead of building a costly graving dock. It became evident that the Government had not dropped the Singapore Base project, which Labor had been so prominent in denouncing. It was likewise assumed that Britain's most popular Admiral, Lord Beatty, would not resign. The utmost quiet reigned.

This peaceable state of affairs, however, was not to last long. Philip Snowden, Chancellor of the Exchequer, poured oil on a dying fire and a roaring conflagration swept the length and breadth of London.

The Chancellor proposed to reduce the Navy estimates by -L-5,000,000 ($21,250,000). Instantly the. press started a "Hands off the Navy" cam- paign. Conservative newspapers were loud in their protestations against what they called "impairing the national bulwark." The Liberal press followed a good second, but the Labor press, i. e., The Daily Herald, said that the reduction will not be more than about -L-2,500,000 ($10,625,000). Lord Beatty's hostile attitude was, however, said to be causing some anxiety.

Lord Beatty, known during the War as Admiral Sir David Beatty, apart from being a popular idol, is acknowledged a sailor of proved efficiency and immense capabilities. He is 53 years of age and married in 1901 Miss Ethel Field, daughter of Marshall Field of Chicago.

At the end of the War, when he was rewarded for his services to the nation by an earldom, he chose with characteristic pluck the title of Earl Beatty of the North Sea.

* The Admiralty is officially styled the Board of Admiralty and consists of the First Lord and four Sea Lords. The First Lord is often a civilian and he is chairman of the Board. The Sea Lords are always experienced Admirals.