Suppressing Harper's review and protecting Beatty

An anecdote about Admiral King judging Beatty after an exercise was cancelled while Beatty was losing introduces a broader criticism of leadership under scrutiny. Publishing Harper's appraisal after the First World War would not, in this view, have ruined Beatty, while accepting an accurate review could have demonstrated confidence. Producing a safer account to protect Beatty's reputation instead suggested an unhealthy concern with personal standing. The discussion also objects to shifting blame onto Seymour, an officer Beatty had selected despite inadequate preparation for the signals post. The episode connects postbattle historiography with accountability, reputation management, and staff selection.