TEMPORARY MAKESHIFTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1501, 25 July 1912, Page 5

TEMPORARY MAKESHIFTS.

HOUSE OF LORDS' CRITICISMS. DOMINIONS' ATTITUDE. (Eec. July 24, 9.45 p.m.) London, July 24. Ail important discussion in the naval situation took place in the Houso of Lords yesterday. Lord Selborne drew attention to the. gravity of the situation as revealed by Mr. Churchill. He declared that the Government's proposals were temporary makeshifts, and proved that Britain had at least eight battleships short. He recommended the immediate construction of a new squadron, and endorsed the references to tlio importance of the Dominions; Lord Crewe, Secretary of Stato for India, admitted tlio gravity of the situation, but said the announcement of a great programme simply on the spur of other nations would defeat their object. He welcomed tho participation of the Dominions, which must mean their representation on the Councils of the Empire. Britain's best powers should be used to consider how best this could be achioved. Lord Haldane, Lord Chancellor, agreed that in tho abscnco of sufficient sea power the British garrisons in tho Mediterranean were ludicrously inadequate, but tho Admiralty was now giving adequate sea power. The Government had made up its mind that Great Britain's position depends on, sea power. Lord Haldane concluded: "Wehave told the only Power which is our rival, but in the friendliest fashion, that our view is that whatever their efforts may be, they must reckon on our making greater."

NEWSPAPER COMMENT. UNIONIST PRESS DISAPPOINTED. London, .Ttily 23. Unionist newspapers declare that Mr. Churchill's speech is disappointing; some consider tho margin of Britain's superiority too narrow. "The Times" and "Daily Mail" (Unionist) think that Mr. Churchill has not provided for new construction, whilst the "Daily News" (Liberal) says the present appalling situation is due to friendships implying antagonism to many.Tho "Daily Mail" comments: "Although Mr. Churchill stated that Cabinet had granted all ho had asked, his present policy differs totally from his previous speeches. If Jfr. Churchill was right in March in withdrawing the battle .fleet from Malta to strengthen the North Sea fleet, he must now be wrong in sending tho battleships back to the Mediterranean, as tho menace in the North Soa has in no wiso diminished dnce March."