The Army was completely confident, and its confidence was only
matched by the confidence of the Grand Fleet, whose enterprise and daring passed all words. If the public did not let down the Army and Navy by impatience, carping criticism, war weariness, and nerves, we were bound to win. The submarine danger was serious, but he honestly believed it could be and would be overcome, though we might be called on to make sacrifices before a complete antidote was found. Sir Erie then defined his view of the duties of his post. The last thing he would do was to interfere in naval strategy. His time in France had taught him that it was better to leave the tactics and strategy to the professional soldier and sailor. It was his duty to know what the Sea Lords were proposing to do, to form an independent opinion as to whether they had enough material, and, as far as a civilian could, to help them in their work. The speech, admirable alike in its candour, modesty, and good sense, was received with enthusiasm.
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