DOMINIONS AND THE NAVY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1619, 10 December 1912, Page 5

DOMINIONS AND THE NAVY.

. p : BRITAIN'S HEAVY BURDEN. IS CANADA TO HAVE A VETO ON WAR? WIDE APPROVAL OF OFFER. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. December 10, 1.10 a.m.) Melbourne, Deoember 9. A copy of a statoment prepared by the Admiralty at the request of the Canadian Government regarding the present and immediately prospective requirements of the naval defence of the Empire has been, tabled in the House of Representatives. It points out that, important as the material effect is, still mors important is the moral effect of any assistance Canadjt can give in maintaining the naval supremacy of Britain, on the high seas. At the same time the Admiralty disclaims ; any intention, however indirect, of -putting pressure on the Canadian people, or seeking to influenoe the Dominion Parlia- '■ mont in a decision which clearly belongs solely to Canada. ; It is declared that superiority on ope sea is essential to tho security of the Empire, and the expansion of the German fleet is reviewed at length'. If tho German naval programme is continued, great exertions, it is added, will be required of the British Empire. Whatever Canada's i decision at the present juncture, Britain , will not in. any circumstances fail in her duty to the overseas Dominions. She has before now stood unaided before tho most formidable combinations, and has not lost ' her capacity of .watching over the in- : terests of the Empire. CANADA'S NEW POSITION.' SOME QUESTIONS. (See. December 9, 11.5 p.m.) i London, December 9. ! Mr. Thomas Gibson Bowles, in a letter to the newspapers, says that Canada's claim to representation on the Imperial : Defence Council,is very unexpected. Is Canada to have a veto oil war plans and a veto on every important step which Great. Britain proposes to tako in foreign policy? He asks why Australia, the Cape, New Zealand, and India are left out. of the representation. Is the British l'arlia-, ment also going to share tho right of previous consultation now given, to Canada?, "The Times" declares that the new arrangement will keep the British and Canadian peoples in closer touch, arid secure greater attention for,tho Canadian standpoint. It will also enable the Canadian Cabinet to learn the reasons for the British Government's policy. Occasion 1 for the proposed modification of the relations with the/other Dominions has not arisen yet. Mr. Bonar Law, Leader of the Opposi-' . tion, will to-day ask Mr. Asquith ■ to . afford opportunity for the House of Commons to express its deep appreciation of the public spirit and patriotism displayed ■ by the overseas Dominions in contributing to the efficiency of Imperial defence. ! WORLD-WIDE CONGRATULATIONS, 1 .LORD . ROBERTS'S MESSAGE. ' . Ottawa, December 8. Mr. Borden "has received messages , from all parts'"o'f (he' Empire' T congratulating him on. Canada's offer to provide three Dreadnoughts for. the Navy. Lord Roberts'-sent a message as follows: "You "have earned the gratitude of England and the Empire for Canada's wonderful offer."- . SIX DREADNOUGHTS A YEAR. BRITAIN AND THE FUTURE. London, December 8. The "Observer" (Conservative) states that three of the six Dreadnoughts now being built were projected by the Dominion's or dependencies. Canada expects a strong fleet in the Pacific, and Australia is doggedly, but . rightly, determined to keep her fleet in • the Pacific, from where it should go to ■ New Zealand and the Malayan Islands. ! Thus" an Imperial patrol will be brought \ Into being. Probably South Africa can be i persuaded to substitute a powerful arm- ' oured unit for her six useless little cruis--1 era. Great Britain', declares the paper, must , have seventy Dreadnoughts by 1920, fortyeight in Home waters, sixteen in the Mediterranean, and 6ix for an Imperial patrol. Sho must lay down six Dread- , noughts annually till 1918. AUSTRALIAN COMMENT. ; MORE INFLUENCE FOR CANADA, Sydney, Deceniber 9. [ The "Sydney Morning Herald" says:— "From whatever aspect Mr. Borden's offer |. is considered it must be regarded as a conspicuous landmark in the history of the i Empire. The s.tep is of the greatest imt portance in. the development of the Im- ' perial Constitution." ' Referring to the provision that a Canadian Minister must bo a permanent member of the Defence Committee, tho "Herald" points out that Mr. Andrew Fisher, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, can see no more satisfactory means of the expression of Australian views than by visits of an Australian Minister to .mora frequently held meetings of the Defence , Committee than, hitherto. Australians 0 may envy the Canadians' influence which g must como to them through the new position. . The "Telegraph" says that Canada has taken the logical course of ensuring as ® far as it can that Great Britain shall re--1 tain- that naval prominence which ensures f security in every part of the Empire. Tho stipulation that a Canadian Minister joins j" the Defence Committee is a momentous step, and marks the entrance of Canada ' into a' new status—the status of a sister State, which is none tho less autonomous bcoanso it co-operates freely' and frankly with Great Britain. "AN INSPIRING LEAD." e , •; WHAT THE CAPE PAPERS SAY. Cape Town, December 8. The "Cape Times" welcomes Canada's proposal with enthusiasm and hopes tho Union will imitate her. The "Oape Argus" says that Canada has given an. inspiring lead by treating the question as one of sea supremacy and not merely local defence. General Hertzog, Minister for Justice, speaking at Rustonburg, complained that Sir Thomas Smartt was first an Imperialist and afterwards a South African. He (General Hertzog) only believed in Imperialism so- far as it benefited South African interests. South Africans were always prepared to fulfil their obligations to protect their interests, but should not • be influenced by sentiment or jealousy. Because Malay had given a Dreadnought it would bo ridiculous to say that South Africa should also give one. EFFECT ON GERMAN POLICY. MAY RAISE WHOLE QUESTION. Borlln, December 8. • Count vou Rovoatlow, ths German naval

expert, aoousied Mr. Asquith and Mr. Churchill of insincerity in appealing to Germany to consider tho burden of naval expenditure, as they knew of Mr. Borden's proposal in the spring. Unless Great Britain substitutes three of the Canadiaia Dreadnoughts for three of tho British Dreadnoughts, Count von Reventlow declares that the Canadian gift would raise afresh tho whole question of German naval policy. MR. FISHER SILENT. Melbourne, December 9. Tho Prime Minister (Mr. Fisher) declines to discuss Mr. Borden's offer at present.