The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28. 1907. THE GERMAN NAVY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2049, 28 November 1907, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28. 1907. THE GERMAN NAVY.

■lt is one of the ironies of modern civilisation that whilst the Kaiser is sunning himself within the restful grounds of Windsor his - advisors in Berlin are submitting proposals for tlio expenditure of millions of money to create a navy that many look upon as chiefly directed at England. The naval Estimates which are to be submitted for the approval of ~»© German Parliament provide for the spending of £17,000,000 next year and £19,000,000 annually in succeeding years. The construction programme provides for three Dreadnoughts annually until 19-12, two afterwards until 1916, one mammoth cruiser, and twelve destroyers annually, besides submarines. The extreme advocates of German naval expansion urge Prince Bulow to begin, four battleships and a large cruiser yearly, with the view of securing .by 1914 a complete don me squadron of modern ships; whilst -the Kolinsche Volki Zeitung, com.menting on, the naval estimates, foresees supplementary proposals for 1911 creating the nucleus of a third double squadron. Apparently the German Government will be able to reckon on an easy passage for the new naval proposals, which are certain to form the lending feature of tlio coming session of the Reichstag. Dr. Spalm Ih-as committed the Centre, which forms the great bulk of the Opposition, to a considerable expansion of the fleet, beyoud the bounds laid down by the existing Naval Acts. Tile Radicals have also shown themselves well disposed towards on increase of expenditure in this direction, and early last- month the annual conference of the National Liberals gave a vigorous push to the •agitation for more ships, which* lias been gradually (gathering momentum ever since the general election. The resolution, adopted unanimously by the gathering, was as follows :

The annual general conference of the National Liberal party experts from tlio National Liberal fraction ill tlio Reichstag that in future, as in tlio past, it will advocate the necessary strengthening and further development of our fleet, and the utmost practical acceleration of the same. The conference in particular considers it absolutely necessary that our new vessels should be at least equal to those of other States in size, armament, and speed, and that the age-limit of battleships should be reduced.

As regards the last point, the demand is now made that battleships should bo replaced wlieu they have, been twenty years afloat. The term fixed by the Naval Acts was 25 yens. The Parliamentary leader, Herr Basser-mann, in. introducing the resolution, is reported to have spoken as follows : The elections had greatly strengthened the prestige of Germany in the world, and had destroyed for all time tlio doubts of other nations as to whether Germany could stand fast against the assaults of international Socialism. The German people had shown that- in national questions it would stand no joking. He was convinced that the elections had served tlio cause of peace. The world had seen that the German people was not to be trifled with, and that in national matters it stood behind its Government. Perception of this fact had done more for peace than the entire Hague Conference. They could retain the electors who on that occasion had thrown themselves on their side and decided the election if they followed a sensible policy. To a sensible policy pertained ’ in national questions a strong force on land and water, and now in the' air as well. Now that the problem of aerial navigation had been solved navigable airships would play a much more important part in future wars than they had in the past. Every politician was aware that their fleet was in a backward condition and must- be developed. This development was not intended to serve bellicose aims, as, for instance, a war against England, but for the protection of their coasts and commerce. '

Another orator on this point was Count Oriola. He said it was ever becoming clear to wider sections of the population that Germany must have a strong fleet, not to carry "on an aggressive war, but to assure peace

If this view continually gained ground., they ha<l to thank their Emperor for it* who had inccs-

suut’ly shouted to the nation that they could not do without a Hoot. These speeches give an excellcJilt indication of the atititudo of the German pconlo towards the Kaiser’s dreiiin of a fleet that shall rival that of Britain. It is true a discordant note was struck recently on this subject by a section of tlio Gormans, who* deolaro that the finances of the country will not hear itho burden that it is proposed to put upon them. However, experience sliows that once the martial aspirations of a people become aroused soino way is devised of meeting the financial requirements, even, though the sacrifice is one of oppression and starvation to tlio pooror classes. Therefore, Germany will in all probability get its navy, and it only remains for us to hope that its attitude will ho purely defensive, and to take refuge in the timely assurance of Lord Tweedmouth that the British navy’s supremacy on the seas is still absolutely safe for the next few years at least.