Fisher's command of the North America and West Indies Station was cut short when Lord Salisbury recalled him for the 1899 Hague Peace Conference. The choice grew out of Fisher's earlier struggle for Admiralty control of naval ordnance, during which he had first antagonized and then earned the grudging respect of Salisbury's brother. That reputation for persistent argument made Fisher useful when Britain needed a forceful naval representative in an international diplomatic setting. His bureaucratic battles had become a qualification for diplomatic work.
Notable Point · 46:31-47:57
Why Salisbury chose Fisher for the Hague conference
Fisher's North American command ended early because his combative record in naval ordnance made him Lord Salisbury's choice for a difficult Hague delegation.