EMPIRE DEFENCES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 589, 18 August 1909, Page 5

EMPIRE DEFENCES.

I—.— COMMON SYSTEM. ELASTIC IN ITS DETAILS. LOCAL NAVIES BUT ONE STANDARD. (By Tolegraph.-Preae Aiaoclntlon.-OopyrlEtit.) (Rec. August 17,, 11.35 p.m.) London, August. 17. . It is understood that the arrangements entered into between tho Admiralty and the Commonwealth in connection with the Defence Conference—and subject to the Commonwealth Government's ratification—are entirely satisfactory to Australian national sentiment. ■ In Peace and In War. It is stated that the Commonwealth will .retain the completcst possible control of tho Australian Navy in peace-time, and that the ships will not pass automatically under tlie Admiralty's control in war-time, but will be placed at tho Admiralty's disposal- by tho Commonwealth if, and when, the necessity arises. It is fully recognised that the i\'avy in war-time must be under one central, undivided control. Tho Australian Navy schome agreed upon, whiJn providing the best form of defence for Australia, will constitute a really effective part of the Imperial defence whenevor and wherever Imperial interests arc- assailed. The plan is described as being in complete consonance with the ideas of the Admiralty, and at the same time may be regarded as a triumph for Australia. Big Cruisers, Not Dreadnought. Thero is reason to .believe that' a Dreadnought as such will not be the form of the Commonwealth contribution. The Admiralty has shown its desire to do its utmost to'meet

Australia's aspiration to possoss her own navy. It has been pointed out that the value of a Dreadnought alone in Australian waters would not be ' greaty and that an advantage will be gained . in substituting vast' cruisers. , ' , ~ 'While Australia's .warships at the outset must be built in England and the men and officers drawn for some tim'o from tho Imperial Navy, araplo provision will bo made for the interchange of officers. Thus the Australian Navy, if not an integral part of the Imperial-Navy, will ho of the sanio standard in all essentials. ■''■■' One of the great Australian''ports! would remain an Imperial naval base. Tho establishment of ono or more training colleges in Australia, while forming no part of the Defence Conference's programme; must be regarded as a foundation whereon the Commonwealth will build the personnel of,tho Australian' Navy. ■ ..'■■■ POWER IN THE PACIFIC. AUSTRALIAN AND CANADIAN VIEWS. (Rec. August 17,. 10.20 p.m.) London, August 17. The Ottawa correspondent of "The Times" states that, official sources declare that there is no difference botwee'n: the Admiralty and the daughter States regarding their- contributions to the' Navy. There is, an opinion that both Canada and Australia, will persist in their decision for the allocation of ships to Canada's.Pacific coast, and ■ will' not be .satisfied with any decision of tho Defence Conference, which leaves the Pacific free,to an- enemy'. . , ;.v.;.; .vYii*/.',- '■.-;;; [The balance of sea-power in tho Pacific was one of the questions that -were, greatly, impressed ok tho public mind, by the. visit to these'waters'of tho United. States fleet. Relying on kinship with the Americans, and the alliance with Japan, Britain reduced;hor naval, power in the Pacific. ■'But Australia, with a very keen eye for colour, looked askance at Japanj - and welcomed the American fleet as representing the white arm in the Pacific. No doubt this leaven is still at work,]

. ONE ARMY STANDARD, THE, PRINCIPLE OF INTERCHANGE. -.. . ' London, August 16. : The Imperial Govermrent's proposals have been accepted by the Defonce Conference, , THey provide for hitorchangeability' of forces in all parts of the Empire; that tho organisation, training, equipment, arms, and manoeuvres in tho oversea dominions shall bo tho same as those of the. Home army; and that there shall be an \ active interchange of officers... . ...... The Imperial General Staff will contribute to uniformity, as also will the training colleges which it is proposed to establish in the colonies on the lines of the, Camberley Staff College.. .■■ . .;.:,':. .' THE EMPIRE ORGANISER., . (Rec. August 17, 10.20 p..m). ! . London, .August 17. Lord Kitchener, who retires from the office of Commander-in-Chief..in India, will' reach Colombo on 13, and will thonco soil eastward on September 15.