THE NAVY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1395, 22 March 1912, Page 5

THE NAVY.

DOMINIONS' SHIPS'

MR, CHURCHILL ON IMPERIAL DEFENCE. ESTABLISHMENT OF REAL INTIMACY, ll.v Toloßrnpli-Prom At-socialion-Oopyright (liuc. MniTli il, 10.10 p.m.) , r ~ London, March 21. -Mr. Goorßp Lambert, Civil Lord of thn Ailmirnlly, in >.|icnl;iii(j in (lie Jlnuso ot Cominoiis in (liu Xavy debate, said Ihu accusation of needles* delay in the completion of (ho .Australian and \ evr Zealand shins is baseless. Tlip delay had been due lo Ihu endeavour to secure tho best armour. Mr. _ Churchill, First Lord of I lie Admiralty, in alluding lo Imperial defence, said it was not for tlio Admiralty to initiate proposals lo (lie Dominions, but it would cordially grant expert assistiuice whenever sought, and frankly inform the Dominions of all the fad* connected with naval policy. Kefcrrinß to the question of associating Dominion Ministers villi Imperial defence, Mr. Churcliill declared that consultations on the subject would soon bo less oncumbered by dinioiillies th.in in the past. Tho Defence Committee offered the most, flexible moans of establishing that real intimacy which ought to exist between the responsible leaders of tliu great Dominions and those concerned in the Empire's defence in Kuglaml.

Replying lo ii suggestion Hint lie should reduce the Niu-y, Air. Churchill pointed out Hint Sir Homy Cawiiboll-Bannerman's prolonged restraint in navy-building liad not produced a slackening, but a doubling, of the rale of German construction. Negotiations had been progressing for somo time for the exchange of naval information. England would always be ready to slate what ships she was building, and when they would be completed, providing Germany reciprocated.

SOME GERMAN VIEWS. GENERAL RESENTMENT. Berlin, March 20. Press comments on .tho Navy speech by Mr. Churchill, British First Lord of the Admiralty, are generally unfavourable. The papers resent the presumption of instruction to Germany on her naval necessities. The "Krcuz Zeitung" (Conservative) states that Iho kernel of the speech was that England mainly builds to prevent Germany's further expansion as a world Power. The journal says it is willing to consider a diplomatic agreement to limit building in a given year in the proportion of two ships lo one. The "Vossiche Zeitung" (Liberal) remarks that Englishmen overlook the fact that Germany has other considerations than Britain. The "Berliner Tageblatt" (Liberal) says that (he resistance of Admiral von Tirpitz, Minister for tho Navy, prevented ilerr von Kiderlen-Waechter, Secretary for Foreign Affairs, from expressing in the Navy Bill a desiro for an understanding with England, which the Kaiser ulso desires. The "Koclnischo Zcitung" (a NationalLiberal provincial journal) declares the pessimistic views, regarding Mr. Churchill's speech, are not shared in official quarters. Mr. Churchill's speech is not regarded as n challenge or as intended to impede pending negotiations.

MR. CHURCHILL APPLAUDED. Paris, March 20. The press applauds Mr. Churchill's frankness in oonnoction with Navy matters. H.M.S. QUEEN MARY. NEW BATTLE-CRUISER LAUNCHED. (Rec. March 21, 10.40 p.m.) London, March 21. Tho battle-cruiser Queen Mary, which was laid down in March last at Jarrow by the Palmer Shipbuilding Company, has been launched. The Queen Mary belongs to the programmo of 1910-11. The oriter for 1110 vessel was given by the Admiralty in December last. She is by far the largest vessel of war to bo built on tho Tyne. The vessel will practically be a sister ship to tho Lion and the Princess Royal. Sho will have a length, overall, of 725 ft. and a beam of 87ft., and her displacement will'be about 27,000 tons. Sho will have a shaft horse-power of 75,000, as compared with the 70,000 horsepower of the Lion, and the Parsons turbine propelling machinery will be made by Messrs! John Brown anid Company, of Clydebank. She is designed for a speed of'2S knots, and will mount eight lS.Sin. guns, in pairs, on the centre line; while the secondary armament will consist of n battery of 4in. guns.