THE EMPIRE AND THE NAVY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1502, 26 July 1912, Page 5

THE EMPIRE AND THE NAVY.

MEDITERRANEAN FLEET*

WHY THE SHIPS WERE WITHDRAWN. H.M-S- NEW ZEALAND. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Eoc. July 25, 11.30 p.m.) London, July 25. Tho debato in the House of Commons on tho Supplementary Naval Estimates was continuedyesterday. Mr. Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty, declared that it was incorrect to say that the British battleships had been withdrawn from tho Mediterranean because they wore wanted in Home waters. They wero withdrawn, firstly, because they were usoless in the presence of tho now Austro-Hungarian and Italian ships, and secondly, because tho crews wero wanted to man the more powerful King Edward VII typo of battleships, which would otherwise havo been relegated to tho reserve. Mr. Churchill denied that tho transfer of four battle-cruisers to Malta would reduce tho Home Fleet below what tho Admiralty considered its irreducible minimum. If other Powers increased their ships in the Mediterranean, Great Britain, would increase hers, and if necessary, create a Dreadnough squadron there. He hoped that the armoured cruiser New Zealand would be delivered in. February. It would immediately visit the chief New Zealand ports. AMERICA'S FLEET. VOTE AGAINST MORE BATTLE. SHIPS. (Rec. July 25, 11.20 p.m.) Washington, July 25. The Democratic members, forming tho majority of tho House of Representatives, have decided by 70 votes to G2 against changing tho decision not to allow the bvilding of any battleships in. the coming year. ,

NEW PROGRAMMES. ITALIAN AND AUSTRIAN PLANS. Paris, July 24. The journal "Lβ Matin" states that at Germany's instigation Italy will lay down eix super-Dreadnoughts (two of which will be commenced at tho end of 1912), and Austria-Hungary three vessels of tho 6&me class,

SUGGESTION OF ABANDONMENT. (Reo. July 25, 11.20 p.m.) Vienna, July 25. The newspaper "Pester Lloyd" 6ays:— Let Great Britain assure Austria that she will never have to defend her coasts against Britain, and it will then be possible to discuss tho abandonment of Austria's naval programme. 'The "Zeit" believes that the Mediterranean question has been raieed to enable Britain to increase, her Navy without appearing to build against Germany.

WAR UNTHINKABLE. Vancouver, July 24. , Dr. Paasche, Vice-President of the German Reichstag,' epeakirig''at a banquet, said that war between Germany and Great Britain wag unthinkable. Hβ regretted Mr. Churchill's evident intention to-hasten the gTowth of armaments. Germany's Navy had not challenged that of the British. Germany was merely providing for th& growth of her ever-inoreasing: world commerce.

CANADA'S CONTRIBUTION,

CONVERSION OF MERCHANT SHIPS DISCUSSED. (Rec. July 25, 10.45 p.m.) London, July 25. t Mr. Hazen, Premier of New Brunswick, in an address to the Maritime League, stated that as Canada's naval contribution, would not in reduction of what Great Britain should do, but supplementary to the British programme. The Canadian Cabinet Ministers in London have discussed with, the Admiralty the conversion of merchantmen! into armed cruisers.

TIME FOR EMPIRE TO STAND TOGETHER. , (Roc. July 25, 11.20 p.m.) Ottawa, July 25. The "Toronto Globe" declares that the time has come for the fifteen million white men of the overseas Dominions to stand behind the Motherland and guard the outlying portions of the Empire, and keop the,trade routes open.