BRITAIN'S WAVY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 869, 16 July 1910, Page 5

BRITAIN'S WAVY.

IRISH PRUNING PROPOSAL. . MR. ASQUITH REPLIES. MUST HAVE AN AMPLE MARGIN. DEPRECATES GERMAN SCARES. By Teletfrauh—Press AsGoeiatlon-aoDyrlESt London, July 14. The House of Commons is' devoting night sittings to' tlie discussion of the motion by Mr.. John Dillon, Nationalist .member for Mayo East, for a reduction of two million pounds in the shipbuilding vote. Mr. Asquith said . British Dreadnoughts must never be fewer than four above those of Germany. Mr. M'Kenn'a said Canada has paid £215,000 'for the cruiser Niobe. (Rec. July 15, 10.30 p.m.) London, July 15. Mr. Dillon, in moving the , reduction of the shipbuilding votes by £2,000,000, contended that the postponement of a portion of the monstrous and unjustifiable expenditure proposed would in nowise endanger the country. He warned his hearers against the tyranny, of the experts. National Safety Only. Mr. Asquith replied that the Cabinet was influenced only by the interests of the national safety. He deeply regretted the suggestion that the Government was animated by hostile or aggressive feeling towards Germany. '■'Nothing," said Mr. Asquith, "was further from the truth. Our relations have been most cordial." The Primo Minister, .continuing, said he anticipated constantly increasing warmth and fervour in, the relations between the two. countries, and welcomed the various agencies and movements which were enabling the two peoples more and more to understand each other. ' ■ ■'■<..■ No AntirOermah Bias. Ho did not believe the Gorman' Government subscribed to the , view . that British preparations were directed against them any more than -the view that theirs were. directed against Britain. ' . ..,., •• ' .. Germany was'a great world Power, with interests existing .'everywhere and increasing. The German • statesmen and people honestly and 1 legitimately believed that an increase'in th'eirNavy was Accessary.to defend those interests. It was not for us to question whether the manner' in which they carried out that belief was politic or wise: that was .a matter for them. • Must Meet Every Risk. On our side, the Government and Parliament would bo false to the nation and Emplra unless they maintained an ample margin of • security against all .probable, and possible, risks. The Government must look at tho world's ship-building. Anion"' the new- facts ho had 'mentioned in 1909 for justifying tho Estimates was the indisputable acceleration of Germany's programme • and her increasing building capability, especially as regards speed in construction. At the, same time he . had carefully noted the declaration by the German Government that there would.be no future accelerations.; ■ . Programmes Compared. Mr. Asquith noxt compared the Powers' programmes, giving Germany in April, 1912, a .total of 13- Dreadnoughts and Britain L'o. Ho added, in reply to a question, that the .British figures did not -include the Australian and*. New Zealand Dreadnoughts. : „ ' , .Britain by the spring of 1913, said Mr. Asquith, would havo 25 Dreadnoughts, plus the .-two colcniai ships at the other end.of'tho work). Germany at tho same date would have 21 Dreadnoughts, plus, four Italian, and an unknown number of, Austrian ones. Was that margin excessive? he asked. Basis of All Reform. Mr. Asquith said he recognised that every, new Dreadnought delayed some social .reform, but national security was the condition of ail social reform. Recalling how 'he had approached Germany with a view to the reduction of. shipbuilding',' aiid how the German Navy Law stands in the way, Mr. Asquith emphasised; the fact-.that under it Gorman construction would bo diminished after 1912. . In concluding, Mr: Asquith said: Wo shall eagerly avail ourselves of every opportunity in the direction of shipbuilding. •