[27]. Mr. Marsh and Mr. (now Sir James) Masterton Smith.
[28]. I have inconsistently adopted the familiar spelling of this ship’s name instead of Göben.
[29]. Later in the morning I learnt that Lord Fisher was in the office and I invited him into my room. I told him what we had done and his delight was wonderful to see.
Foolish statements have been made from time to time that this sending of the Fleet to the North was done at Lord Fisher’s suggestion. The interview with me which Lord Fisher records in his book is correctly given by him as having taken place on the 30th. The Fleet had actually passed the Straits of Dover the night before. I think it necessary to place on record the fact that my sole naval adviser on every measure taken prior to the declaration of war was the First Sea Lord.
[30]. Now Lord Birkenhead.
[31]. Dryden, Threnodia Augustalis.
[32]. The minute constituting the Division is printed in Appendix A.
[33]. Appendix B.
[34]. Admiral Scheer, p. 13.
[35]. Appendix C. I hope it may be read.—W. S. C.