446

uit de pers.

To this I must dcmur, as the power of the submarine was fully considered. This however, is a side issue.

Many folios might be written on the functions of the submarine, but I will end, and in doing so would emphasize the point that, however interesting personal opinions may be, personal opinion is of no value in deciding such farreachting problems as the one now raised. The only opinion of an}- value is that formed by the constituted naval authorities at the Admiralty, whose judgment is guided by the outcome of the latest actual knowledge of the performance of the units in all climates and under every condition, and the considered opinions and divergent views of hundreds of officers each expert in his own capacity. It is for this reason I would urge on your readers not to be alarmed or anxious, however well-known the signatures in this correspondence may be, but to trust confidently in the mature judgment of the Admiralty, who are the only real experts in complex questions of naval policy and construction.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

R. H. Bacon.

Wappenbury.