CANADA AND THE NAVY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1624, 16 December 1912, Page 7

CANADA AND THE NAVY.

* SHIPS READY IN TWO YEARS. LOCAL BUILDING SCHEME APPLAUDED. REPLY TO SIR. W. LAURIER. Uy Telcurantt—Preaa Association—Oonyrishi (Kcc. Decembor IG, 0.25 a.m.) Londofl, December 15. The "Times" states that as tho Canadian ships cannot bo built for two years. Mr. Borden's permanent policy will, thorcfore, have full time to mature. Moanwhilo arrangements will be made to secure the immediate development of constructional facilities in Canada. Mr. Borden has hit tho most practical and businesslike method 'of dealing with tho matter, as it is of real Imperial importance 'that'the capacity for naval construction should be distributed instead of concentrated in Britain. The natural course is to begin with the building of smaller craft, which is the policy adopted by Australia. SIR WILFRID LAURIER'S SPEECH. LOCAL NAVY SUPPORTED. Ottawa, December 13. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, during his speeoh against Canada's naval policy, assorted that it was necessary for Canada to beware of the Monroe Doctrine. She hod to tako her 6hare in tho defence of tho Empire as well as that of her own shores; but the Borden policy was not the way to secure this. When the Empire was at war Canada was at war, but not necessarily in conflict. The Admiralty could count at all times on the services of the Canadian Navy, because, by the agreement made early in 1911, whereby the naval area in the North Atlantic was placed under the 'Canadian fleet to defend, if that area -was invaded, the Canadian, fleet would fight immediately. The same applied to the Pacific area. . EX-PREMIER TAUNTED. .1 '. —: BELATED GENEROSITY. (Rec. December 15, 5.5 p.m.) Ottawa, December 15. Mr. Pelletier, the, Postmaster-General, replied in tho House to Sir William Laurier on behalf of the Government. He taunted Sir Wilfrid with not having been 60 anxious to aid Britain. when he had tho power. The real trial of strength would be in British waters, and where, then, would be the value of the Canadian squadrons if in Canadian waters? Looking on,P It was absurd to say that Canada could man her own fleet when she was not at present able to man one cruiser. All of the crews of the Rainbow and Niobe had been, brought from Britain. Sir Wilfrid Laurier was' only parading his generosity, knowing that there was no likelihood that he would be asked to give it effect. CONSERVATIVE CRITICISM. SINCERITY DOUBTED, ■•■■■• ''Ottawa,-December 13. The ■ Conservative .press criticises ■ Sir Wilfrid Laurier's naval policy as belated, and says that he ought to have carried the scheme ho now recommends into practical politics when he had the opportunity- , ... Most of,the newspapers disbelieve that Sir..Wilfrid. Laurier,.would give effect to his new programme even iff he we'r<s'!'returned to power by. an election to-morrow. newspapers quote the Australian'example as most suitable for Canada to follow. LAURIER PLAN APPROVED. "DAILY NEWS"' VIEW! London, December 13. The "Daily News" says that Sir Wilfrid Laurier's plan avoids tho grave objeotion to' which Mr. Borden's is exposed—that it weakens, if not destroys, the remaining control of the British. House of Commons over tho foreign policy. UNITED STATES INDIFFERENCE. THE PRESS SILENT. , (Rec. December 16, 0.25 a.m.) London, December 15. The. "Daily Telegraph's" New York correspondent says the American press, with few exceptions, have ignored Mr. Borden's and Sir Wilfrid Laurier's speeches. If an, editor is asked why, he says it is not America's business to advertise her neighbours, and also that tho contribution is quite unnecessary, as Canada can always rely on the Monroe Doctrine and Uncle Sam's protection. The difficulty of recruiting for the fleet in Canada is thoroughly appreciated in Washington. THE GERMAN MENACE. BRITISH INFERIORITY IN NORTH SEA. London, December 13. ! Although Mr* Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty, refused to reply to a question) in the House of Commons reWiYe to the number of Germany's fully-commis-sioned battleships, the "Evening News" 6tates that Germany has twenty-two in commission and Great Britain nominally twenty-nine; but eight are at Malta, and six in dock, leaving Germany with a 50 per cent, superiority, while Great Britain has no superiority in fully-commissioned destroyers.