TECHNICAL MATTERS 57

commands in the torpedo section at an age which they considered was not sufficiently ripe. At any rate, at his first inspection of the flotilla, Count Monts declared that the whole thing was mere show, which would be useless in battle.

Thereupon I asked the leader of the Naval Cabinet for a command at sea, and further, that some restraint should be imposed upon Count Monts lest he should prejudice the torpedo arm.