THE NAVAL BURDEN.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 764, 12 March 1910, Page 5

THE NAVAL BURDEN.

HEAVY ESTIMATES, THE COLONIAL DREADNOUGHTS. London, March 10. Commenting on tho Navy Estimates (published yesterday), "The Times" says: "Tho fact that no echoes are heard this year of conflict' between the Admiralty and the Cabinet indicates that the Cabinet has accepted tho Admiralty's proposals .without cavil. The country will therefore be slow to take exception to the programme. "The Times" adds: "Tenders for the colonial Dreadnought-cruisers (presented by New Zealand and Australia) are presumably uuder consideration by the colonial authorities, with whom, rather than with the Admiralty, the immediate initiative would seem to rest," The "Daily Chronicle" (Liberal) says: "The Estimates have been -framed in an oxtravagant alarmist spirit, but it is necessary to remember that as ships wear out Britain's superiority in pre-Dread-noughts tends to diminish." Tho "Daily News" (Liberal) says: "Both Britain and Germany ■ are witnessing a 'fierce struggle on the part of the rich to make the poor pay tlia price of this insane competition, which leads to the creation of irritation, hates, and craven fears." '

CANADIAN SQUADRON. THE BILL PASSES THE HOUSE. Ottawa, March 10. Sir Wilfrid Laurier's Canadian Nsva'i Service Bill, providing for the building of cruisers and destroyers, has passed the Dominion House of Commons. The division resulted:— For the Bill jog Against the Bill 74 Government majority 55 LACK OF DREADNOUGHTS. The Canadian fleet which is to be conundor the Act will, according to The Times," be composed of: lour ships of the Bristol class (eecond- , class cruisers,. 4800. tons, 430 ft. long, 47ft. beam, 15Jft. draught, 25 knots). - . One ship of the Boadicea type (third-class cruiser, 3300 tons, 385 ft. long, 41ft. beam, 131 ft. draught, 25 knots, _ armed with six 4-incli guns). Six improved destroyers, of the Eiver ' typo (550 tons, 225 ft: long, 23Jft. , beam, 10ft. draught, 25i knots, four 12-pounder guns). It js said that the cost of these ships will be^2,308,000. The chief criticism has centred in the lack of Dreadnoughts, but, the Bill has nevertheless passed tho Canadian House, of Commons? oy a sub-' stantial majority. •

NAVY WAR COUNCIL. THE MOBILISATION DEPARTMENT. London, March 10. The Navy Estimates include the cost of establishing the Naval Mobilisation Department of tho. Navy War Council. WAR PLANS AND MOBILISATION. .The Admiralty has been building up tho Navy War Council for some time, and the Naval Mobilisation Department is the latest devolopment of the Council's I" business is war > plans and mobilisation. Tho Board' of Admiralty officially explains the position as follows:— . . "In further development of the poliev which has actuated tho Board of Admiralty for some time past of organising War Council, it has been d<£ cided to place on an established footing the arrangements inado in previous years for the. study of strategy and tho consideration and working out of war plans. „-A-'new Department, called the Naval Mobilisation Department, has' been formed under tho directorship of a flag officer, and there is concentrated in it that part of the business of the Naval Intelligence Department and the Naval War - College which related to war plans and mobilisation. '

Under the presidency of tho First Sea Lord, the officers'directing the Naval Intelligence Department and the . Naval Alobilisation Department and the Assistant Secretary jjf tho Admiralty-will form the standing Navy War Council. The Assistant Secretary will act also as Secrei. -? Council. In the absence of the -First Sea Lord, the Second Sea Lord, or other.Sea Lord doing duty for the mii. a Lord, will act as president. ... rear-admiral • in commandof the Naval War College will bo associated with the Navy War Council, and will, attend and act as a member of tho Council when the business is such as requires his presence.. Other responsible oincers will also be called in to assist and advise as the president may consider desirable." Consequent on these arrangements, riS'n ?' 9- KWS Hall, C.V.a, r ' .been appointed Director of Naval Mobilisation. Captain M Culme Seymour, E.N., Captain G. C. Cayley, R.N., Commander CT P. R. Coodo, R.N., Commander J. H. Trye, R,N. and Commander G. M. Keane, R.N., are appointed to assist Rear-Admiral King Halland Captain H. H. Campbell, M.V.O E-N., Captain A. R. Hulbert, R.N., Canl tam T. H. Hawkins, R.M.L.1., and Commander A. K. Jones, R.N., cease to hold appointments in tho Naval Intelligence Department. ■