DOMINIONS AND THE NAVY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1454, 31 May 1912, Page 5

DOMINIONS AND THE NAVY.

NEW SOLUTION SUGGESTED. IMPERIAL SQUADRON. PERIODICAL VISITS OVERSEAS. By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright. (I'ec. May 31, 0.20 a.m.) London, May 30. The "Daily Telegraph" has published the outlines of a naval scheme i'or consolidating Imperial naval intere.-ts. Under it (lie Dominions and the Home Government would organise a separate Imperial service squadron, with its ba-e at Gibraltar. It would bo supported by fixed yearly contributions, and be under the control of the Imperial Committee of Defence. The squadron would periodically visit the several Dominions. Tho "Telegraph" says that since the Naval Agreement of 1000, British policy has been powerfully nlfectcd by the renewal of the alliance with Japan, and tho unexpected increase in the pressure of naval armaments in Europe. Consequently the naval situation in the Pacific, where no peril threatens British interests, has become subordinated by recent events to the now naval situation in Northern Europe, and the Agreement of 1003 is not therefore to bo carried out. This will leave tho Commonwealth with its fleet unit built under that agreement, and tho question arises whether the Commonwealth, reverting to the spontaneous offer of 1900, will follow New Zealand's example, and allow its battle-cruiscr to serve in Europe with the Royal Navy, or, despite the changed conditions, abide by the letter of the bond. Possibly tho Admiralty may bo unable to spare crews for the Australian vessels if they leave Europe, as tho tlect is already short in its personnel.