IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2274, 20 August 1908, Page 3

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

BRITISH NAVAL POLICY.

NEWSPAPER COMMENT

United Press Association. Copyright

LONDON, August 18. While not denying the possibilty of some loan of a reasonable amount for navy expansion in the event of circumstances demanding it, City circles are unfavorable to such operation because of the effect on consols and other good securities. Careful inquiries fail to discover the financiers alluded to in the “Telegraph's” story as making the offer. The entire Unionist press censure Mr. Churchill and Mr. Lloyd-George for interfering in Sir Edward Grey’s department. The London “Express” foreshadowed the ultimate issue of a naval loan in instalments. The “'Westminster Gazette” favors a loan to enable the Government to fix the' shipbuilding programme for four years, subject to mod lication if Germany modifies hers. The “Clironiclo,” while considering the figure of 100 millions sterling as preposterous, favors a plan for announcing the financing of the na val programme for several years in advance. It was important by one means or another to establish and declare the continuity and certainty of the policy, thereby creating, conditions favorable to friendly negotiations towards a mutual agreement to halt. The “Chronicle’s” naval correspondent states that the Dreadnought type is already obsolete, and the new loan will be spent on Indomitables. BERLIN, August 18. German . Conservative newspapers are emphatic that Germany cannot even consider allowing the ideas of another Power to influence her armament.

PARIS, August 18. French newspapers re-echo the British opinion that the situation points towards less tension and an ultimate halt in ship-building. If it comes, it -is considered, it must now bo left to develop from tho German end.

MR. LLOYD-GEORGE’S REPUDIATION, United Press Association. Copyright (Received August 20 I'e 2C a u ) LONDON, August Mr. Lloyd-George, in a message to the “Chronicle,” indignantly repels the “Standard’s” accusation against Mr. Churchill and himself, and expresses admiration for Earl Grey, and also unbounded confidence in Ear! Grey’s great capacity for dealing with complex and difficult problems •confronting: Britain.