THE GERMAN NAVY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1670, 10 February 1913, Page 5

THE GERMAN NAVY.

QUESTION OP FLEET RATIOS. UNDERSTANDING WITH BRITAIN. CONCILIATORY SPEECHES. By Tele&rjWh—Press Assoolatlon-CoDjriiht Berlin, February 7. Herr von Ja'gow (Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs), discussing, the Naval Estimates, said l they emphasised Germany's good relations with the- Powers, particularly England. Admiral von Tirpitz, referring to Mr. Winston' Churchill's statement last March when introducing tho British' Naval Estimates, declared that tho proportion of ten and sixteen between the British and German fleets would be acceptable for tho next few years. His Department would not raise any objection. WHAT IS THE RATIO? PRESS COMMENT ON REICHSTAG, SPEECHES. (Rec. February 9, 5.5 p.m.) London, Fobruary 8. , Tho "Daily Mail," quoting .'Mr. Winston Churchill's January speech in further qualification of the speech he delivered •in July, 1912, in reference to the Canadian 6hips, and also to the eventuality of tho Mediterranean Powers undertaking considerable building programmes, says:— "Hence tho 00 per cent, superiority asked for in his speech applied to the-past, and not to tho' present or the future. Consequently, Britainfs programme would bo subject to alteration if the Mediterranean Powers increased thoir fleets as they are now doing." if Admiral Von Tirpitz accepts this ratio with these qualifications, the first step towards better relations between, the two nations has been taken, but on tho present programmo the British margin of Dreadnoughts in 1916 will only be fifty per centum, if the Dominion ships are not counted.

The London "Daily Telegraph's" Berlin correspondent «ays that the statements made in tho Reichstag ■■ are calculated to strengthen, tho erroneous German impression ■'that Mr. Churchill has offered a sixteen, to ten ration for all ships for all time. Admiral Von Tirpitz doubtless would like' to tie Britain to such a ratio, but when the British Dreadnoughts aro obsolescent and the ratio is altered thero would be an outcry in domanding 'a further Navy Bill. Apart from Admiral Tirpitz's willingness to accept the ratio mentioned, it would be some time beforo Germany was ripe for another naval project. The people's shoulders ore sore from the weight of. the last burdons.fland the high price of the necessaries of life. Moreover, it will bo difficult to squeeze out five million sterliug annually under •tho new Army Bill. ..

i "The Times" Berlin correspondent declares that Admiral Von Tirpitz's remarks amounted merely to a declaration .that, Germany did not intend to make a fresH spurt. No agreement would bo made. No negotiations would bo begun. EFFECT' OF DOMINIONS' ACTIVITY. ' ■ , (Rec. February iO, 0.25 a.m.) London, February 9. ■ The'."livening Standard'', declares that' the Anglo-Gorman understanding is pro& ably duo to the , Dominions' practical 'patriotism. ..'"•' , :.■■ ■-.-.. , y When introducing the Navy Estimates in the-House of Commons in March last, Mr. Winston Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty, said that if. as lio feared, two Bhips a year wero to be added to the German fleet in the next 6ix years, Britain mast, lay (down four. If the Germans liked to make a decrease in construction works, Britain would mako a corresponding decrease in hers.