TWO=POWER TEST

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 490, 24 April 1909, Page 5

TWO=POWER TEST

I "NOT ABANDONED." " . i MR. ASQUITH AND MR. CHURCHILL. THE DUNDEE LETTER. (nnw-EuiMCH-riiEsa AssociA/nox-corYitionT.) (Roc. April 23,'9.10 p.m.) . London,- April 23. • Mr. J. B. Lonsdale (Unionist member for Mid Armagh) questioned tho Prime Minister in tho Hoiiso of Commons on tho subject of tho letter written by Mr. Churchill (President of.tho Board of Trado) to his Dundee constituents, in which Mr. Churchill alleged that tho naval panic was based on "stupid and vicious errors," and also said: "The two-Power standard is now devoid of meaning; it is absurd to build against tho United States." Mr. Asquith said that Mr. Churchill's letter was not written after consultation with his colleagues. The. Government had not abandoned tho view that tho two-Power standard was workable The Prime Minister's statement was received with Opposition cheers. Amid Opposition laughter Mr. Asquith added: "Mr. Churchill's statement must bo read in oonneotiou with tho context."

THE BERESFORD MEMORANDUM. , i OFFICIAL INQUIRY. (Rcc. April 23, 9.10 p.m.) London, .April 23. Mr. Asquith, Primo Minister, has informed the House of Commons that a statement regarding naval readiness in Homo waters was recently presented to him by Admiral Lord Charles Bcrosford, and was about to be considered by tho Committee of Imperial' Defence. Tho majority 'of the newspapers welcome this announcement of an inquiry. AUSTRALIAN FLOTILLA. London, April 22. The contract signed by the Dumbarton shipbuilding firms provides for tho completion of the first Federal destroyer on Juno 15, 1010, and tho second on July 14, 1910. The material for tho third vessel, which is to be put together in Australia, is to bo ready for shipment on Juno 6, London, April 22.' Among those present at tho mooting of the Royal Colonial Institute (which called on tho Government to augment forthwith its programme of naval building) were Cojonel Meysoy-Thonwson, Liout.-Gencral Hutton, and General Gasoleo.