London, Nov. 27.
In the House of Commons Mr. Winston Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty, in a powerful and stimulating speech, reviewed the naval situation. He said that it was impossible, at present, for the Public to form any judgement on the various incidents which have taken place, but as soon as possible the facts connected with past operations and administration would be made public in a form in which they could be studied and weighed, He looked forward hopefully to that day.
The First Lord emphasized that it was not wise to dwell on particular incidents, which were only very small portion of what was going on in every part of the world. Ho, therefore, desired to speak concerning the larger considerations of the naval situation.
The British Navy at the outbreak of the war was confronted with four main perils, Firstly, surprise before they were ready and in their war stations; that was the greatest peril of all. Secondly, the danger of escape to the High Beas of com-yers: up to the print that danger had been successfully surmounted. It was estimated be fore the war that we should lose during the first few months, 5 per cent. of our merchant marine The actual percentage of loas had been 1.9 per cent.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.