10 DREADNOUGHTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1755, 21 May 1913, Page 5

10 DREADNOUGHTS.

THE PROPOSED EMPIRE FLEET

MR. CHURCHILL'S CALCULATIONS,

THE BRITISH FORGE AVAILABLE. London, April Mr. Winston Churchill formulated this week, in a second great speech on the Navy Estimates, the policy by which ho proposes to have a forco of nine or ten Dreadnoughts atvailnble in tho uext few 'years for tho defenco of the Empire in tho Mediterranean, tho Pacific, or elsewhere. This great scheme is not likely to be unreservedly approved of in Australia. But as it is Great Britain's proposal, and must certainly bo carefully considered at 1 any conference dealing with Pacific defence, it is well that it should be clearly understood. Tho ten Dreadnoughts in question are not perhaps immediately needed for the Pacific—and Mr. Churchill only deals with tho position up to the year 1917. But this is clearlv the fleet of 10 or 12 capital ships on which, as was some months ago announced in the "Herald," Mr. Churchill relies for dealing with the Pacific situation in 1921. Ho, with his advisers, lias come to the conclusion that the least number of Dreadnoughts that must he retained by Great Britain in home waters must bo a number which exceeds that of tho corresponding German ships by three to two; that is to say,' England, in present circumstances, must keep at 'home enough ships to give her a 50 per cent, superiority over her chief rival. This having been settled, it has been possible for Mr. Churchill to work out definitely—what apparently lias never been worked out before—the exact-surplus force which Great Britain,will, during a certain number of future years, be able to send to tho outskirts of the Empire; or. in his own language, to use _ "for the whole-world service of the British Lmpire." The results of the calculations which Mr.'Churchill now for the first time states are that the naval forces of the Empire (not counting the Canadian ships, as they are not yet voted by Parliament) could spare for Imperial service up to the year 1917, which is, as far as the calculations go, an average of from six to eight Dreadnoughts. In these calculations the Australian, \ev- Zealand, and .Malayan ships are included; but not tho second Australian battleship, which has been announced since the speech was made. "That." he says, "is quite sufficient for the year 1915, with which we are at present' dealing, but, having regard to the responsibilities of tho British/ Empire, both in the Pacific and in tho Mediterranean, and having regard in particular to the now development of forces in tho Mediterranean, it is clear that the margin of strength available for the_ wholeworld service of the British Empire will not be sufficient after the first quarter of 1916 unless further steps are taken either by the Dominions or by ourselves.'

With Canada's Ships Added. The three Canadian ships, to points out if Canada decides to have them built, would make all the difference in the adequacy of this force. There would then be a force of nine or ten Dreadnoughts available.' * "That," he adds, "in the absence of. further developments in the Mediterranean or 111 the Pacific beyond what is now iu prospect, would be sufficient. If, however, new developments take _ place of sutih a kind as' to affect Admiralty problems, or if tho Canadian ships were_ to miscarry for any reason, tho situation would have to bo reviewed. It is not necessary at tho present moment and it would bo premature for me to say any more on the subject. I have given tho fullest information in my power to the House, and I hope I shall not bb pressed to add to it. I could not accede to such a request. It is necessary, liowever, to make it clear that; the three ships now under discussion in Canada are absolutely required for 191G onwards for the whole-world defence of the British Empire, apart altogether from the needs of Great Britain in home waters, that they will play a Teal part in the defence of tho Empire, and that if they fail a gap will be opened, to fill ; which. further sacrifices will have to bo made without much delay by others." This appears to be a definite statement made for the information of Canada— that, if Canada decides against civing help, it will make the task of Australia, New Zealand, and England heavier.

Tha Two Policies, Although he did not refer to; the actual Australian policy at all in this speech, or indeed in his speech of the week before, except indirectly or l>y inference, the following important passage of Mr. Churchill's statement must presumably be taken to cover it:— "I must repeat," ho said, ' that tno Canadian ships are absolutely necessary Tot the whole-world defenco of the British Empire from the end of 1015 or from the beginning of 1936. onwards. Tho fact that they aro necessary is no measure of their value. Thoir value far exceeds the value of threo ships. We can build three ships ourselves if - necessary. Parliament has never refused to supply tho money for that which responsible Ministers have considered necessary for the proper discharge of the responsibilities of the Crown. It is the fact of this (Treat new nation coming forward, with all its measureless strength and possibility, to testify to the enduring life of the British Empire that has- already produced an impression throughout tho world of rnioro valine than .many Dreadnought ships—(cheers)—<in impression throughout tho world which conducts both to tho safety of this country and to the peace of nation c . (Cheers.) . "From t?.is point cf view the difference in method which separates the proposal of Mr. Borden's Government fr,om those of that far-seeing Imperial statesman, Sir Wilfrid Lauricr, are not of vital importance. The Admiralty have expressed thoir opinion, as it was our duty to do, as to which is the most convenient method and which method will be most quick aud helpful and will be most effective lor the common good of the British Empire. But from a wider standard than any which the Admiralty can occupy the principle of Canada coming forward lor tho world-wide naval defence or tho British Empire is of inestimable value, ami that is the principle on which I understand Liberals and Conservatives in Canada are at one." (Cheers.)

Principle of Britain's Aid. Tho principle on which the force available for oversea defence js defined and ascertained —and as far as one Kiiois s it is tho first time that any definite principle was ever formulated —was explained bv Mr. Churchill as follows:-, '"I have dealt with tho GO per cent, standard. On tho other hand, I shall I>C asked: What is tho maximum provision available for the wlido-world service of tho British Empire, and in particular 111 tho Mediterranean, in those years? It has always been understood, as I said last year, anil as the lion, member for Kensington recognised last week, that the GO per cent, building standard against tho next strongest naval Power was to provido a certain number of ships— the number has never been publicly defined-for foreign service. AVe camo to the conclusion some timo ago that the, minimum standard of Dreadnoughts which should bo maintained in Homo waters should bo three to two as compared with Germany— (Opposition cheers)—that is to say, that one-sixth of the CO per cent, superiority mi"ht be considered availnblo for foroifp service or for the general service of the Empire in addition to tho surpluses, to which I have referred. Again, 1 say that there standards arc conventional standards, and they are not to be interpreted unreasonably, nor ought thej to fx* interpreted in any ivay to 'fetter the freedom of the Admiralty in moving the sliips as they may think necessary from timo to time, it being ridiculous to tell us that one or two ships more or less mako any essential, difference, having regard to tho rest of the licet.

Tho Figures. The actual detailed figures of the ships available, under Mr. Churchill's, calculations. lie gave as follow.— "i'ir'-l. not counting the Canadian ships"' iio says, "appyins thij principle to tlio figures of 1913 and'l!M, it will he fimml that, niter providing for tho ,)0 per cent, superiority yi Homo waters, there .will bo SToilabls /ai foroisn serjice,

for the whole-world service of the British Empiro-that is tho phrase which should be used—as followln tho first quarter of 1915, 7; in the second quarter, i; in tno third quarter, 5; in tho q H» r . 7. In tho first quarter of 1916, 10, in the second quarter, 5; in tho ttird quarter. 5; in tho fourth quarter, 7. In the first quarter of 1917, 9; 'and so on, an average of six and eight \cssels. Then, reckoning the Canadian ships, He continues: . ... "From this point of view the reality of tho need of the three Canadian vessels can be well appreciated. The J' would raise the margin of tho strength available for the general defence ol the Empire after the main need in Homo waters has been met as follows: in JJio, in tho first quarter, 10. In 191G, an tno first quarter, 13; in the second quarter, 8; in the third quarter, 8; in tho. fourth quarter, 10. In 1917, in tho first quarter, 12; and so on, an average of nine nr ten vessels available for the wijole-v.orld service of tho British Empire.