other countries might easily conclude that Germans must be an
exceptionally strong lot, as they seem to be able to strike terror
into the hearts of the British, who are five times their superiors.

I hope your Lordship will read these lines with kind consideration.
They are written by one who is an ardent admirer of your splendid
navy, who wishes it all success, and who hopes that its ensign may
ever wave on the same side as the German Navy's, and by one who is
proud to wear a British naval uniform of Admiral of the Fleet,
which was conferred on him by the late great Queen of blessed
memory.

Once more the German naval bill is not aimed at England and is not
a challenge to British supremacy of the sea, which will remain
unchallenged for generations to come. Let us all remember the
warning Admiral Sir John Fisher gave to his hearers in November,
when so cleverly he cautioned them not to get scared by using the
admirable phrase "if Eve had not always kept her eye on the apple
she would not have eaten it, and we should not now be bothered with
clothes."

I remain yours truly,

WILLIAM I. R.,
Admiral of the Fleet.


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