PACIFIC FLEET UNITS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2122, 14 April 1914, Page 5

PACIFIC FLEET UNITS.

M'STRAIIA'S REPLY TO MR. CHURCHILL THE 1909 AGREEMENT " IRREVOCABLY PLEDGED" TO ITS FOLIC! By Telc^apH;-'-Pi-ess'^e3ociati(iri~€opjTi§:ht! Syanoy, April 13. ; • senator Miljen, Federal Minister .for Ovk-iico, has issued a comprehensive statement regarding the Federal 'riavul policy, in vic\v. of tlio recent speech by Mr. Churchill, Fiist Lord of the Admiralty. Ho quotes Mr. Churchill as saying that a battle, cruiser was not a necessary part of tho' fleet units provided by the Dominions,, and that tho presence of such vessels in tho Pacific was not necessary in.British interests, and compares the advice given by tlio Imperial Government at the 1900" 'con-' feretico, when it was stated that the smallest fleet which should be aimed at should consist, of an armoured cruiser of the Dreadnought type, three unarmoiired cruisers of tlio Bristol typo, six destroyers, and three submarines. 'I lie Admiralty was .then of opinion that three battle cruisers wore nccessary in the Pacific, and this view %vas endorsed hv Admiral Sir R. Henderson in 1911. Australians had joined in tlio schetno heartily, hoping that the good understanding between Britain and Japan would continue indefinitely. At the same time it was difficult to accept the existence of that alliance as a reason for any departure from the naval programme adopted. The pages of history wers strewn with the wreckage of fruitless alliances. In any case, the present' alliance with Japan may not- be jfinewed, _ Tho'statement concludes: "Australia is, irrevocably pledged to and will pursue with determination, tho policy agreed upon with the Imperial Parliament SVe years ago, and will not be deflected by remarks by the First Lord of tho Admiralty regarding the task undertaken, which is vital to tljo cause of Imperial defence and an essential safeguard for our own protection."

LIBERAL PRESS OPINION. (Rec. April 1.3. 10.5 p.m.) London, April 13. Tlio "Daily Chronicle" (Liberal) remarks that Mr. Churchill has recognised, and has rightly abstained from blaming the oversea Dominions for, their feeling in favour of local lieets, "but (says the "Chronicle") lit needs moro than recognition, it should' bo mado tho foundation of tho Admiralty's policy towards tho Dominions. ■ Until then, tlioro is hound to b» a certain amount of unreality and misunderstanding in reciprocal naval arrangements. "Senator Milieu's speech" (continues tho "Clifonu:le")> "strengthens this moral. *W'e may regret Australia's frank confession of Australian sentiment, her dislikes of a J-apaives® alliance, and simultaneously hint, that battle-sfuisers would bo required to make-. a show against Japan. But tlio sentiment ovists, and, iwianvhile, Senator Milieu does not rise to the suggestion of an Imperial squadron, and, really, after the Commonwealth has been encouraged to build a Dreadnought'for Australian waters, why should I«P"

In his speech in the House of Commons on March 17 4;ish the First Lord of f.h© Admiralty (Mr. Churchill) pointed out that tho Japanese secured tlio safety, of. Australia and .New. Zealand. The situation in the ru'eific, would be- absolutely resutnted by the. position in European waters. , Tho Admiralty had co-opzrated loyally in the development of tho Australian fleet. Tho Dominions would be afforded opportunity for individual local development, which was necessary to maintain a keen naval . pitere-st and procure the sacrifices which" were necessary to the development of their naval power. Tho Goversisnfrsit had given full effect: to the 1900 naval agreement, although they were li'it doifig it tho same way. They were keeping t!w> battleships in Hojnu. waters, where atone. thev would meet their equals. They had sent the Swiftsuro and Triumph to the China and Indian stations, which was sufficient, and an improvement in the mefo duplication of tlie Australian unit. There is no reason to suppose, he continued, that Japan would need England's friendship less after the expiry of the alliance in 1921. The bond between japan and Britain would mean the .eifec-tiv# protection of Australasia. That bond depended entirely <& the nminteattnoe of British naval -supremacy. Th«o were no means whereby, in the next dozen years, Australasia could maintain itself singlehanded. If .Britain's power were shattered, the cvnly course then open to. the whites in tlie Pacific would be to seelc tho protection of the United States, I'rcw this point of view, the profound wisdom of the policy which had hitherto been adopted coaid be appreciated. It Provided the most effective way to their own,, and to tho common security. The Admiralty, lie added, was bound' to uphold tho broad principles- of unit? of command, and concentration, in tlv> decisive theatre, and- regarded the effort of tho Commonwealth as heroic. "VTft will leave iiothing undone to assist them. Sound arrangements have been made by us for the Commonwealth's fleet. In war time. The Government has realised the importance of m-eatins a naval sentiment iu tho Dominions, and had therefore advocated the creation of an Imperial squadron." AUSTRALIA'S "SONS OF THE SfiA," BRITISH DETRACTORS ANSWERED. Lotit)Qii( April 12. Sir George 'Jleid said that Rear-Ad-miral Sir George Patey, Commandor of tho Australian Fleet, had told liim that iio (tlio Admiral) was pleased with the battleship Australia's seamen, of whom ho spoke in tho highest terms. Sir George Beid added that the. men's readiness to serve and their obedience to discipline should silcnco British detractors.

The position in tlio Far East was unsatisfactory, and the timo must eome when India would help to m&iutaift a iloet in the Pacific. Canada would have to do the same, though her position differs in several respects from Australia's.

AUSTRIA WANTS SEVENTEEN MILLIONS. (Itec. April 13, 10.50 p.m.) Vienna, April 13. The "Neuo Frcii I'rcsso" calculates that the Austro-Huugarian ' Admiralty will requiro £17,000,000 for new shipbuilding, tho amount to bo spread over six years. Next year's Budget will contain tho first instalment.