BRITAIN’S EASTERN POLICY

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2289, 7 September 1908, Page 2

BRITAIN’S EASTERN POLICY

A REPLY TO AMERICA. AN ABLE DEFENCE. 'i

United Press Association, Copi-higbi *> (Received September 7, 12.31 p. m .j r ,iFi LONDON, Sept. Tlio “Times,” remarking that Lord ' ; •Northcoto and Mr. Deakin had spok-i on admirably for the Empire, replies ■ ;i to Die comments of a section of the American press. “It cannot bo too ; widely realised,” the paper says j “that natural supremacy xvhereon pends tho life of the Empire, and every separate part, means suprem-' •i: acy in all waters of the xvorld and. that supremacy xi-o are determined to maintain. Though xvo trust that, a 6 1 the younger Bntains develop, they will reinforce the Empire’s naval poxx- ' er xvith ships and men, xve cannot :: l alloxv that power to decline because at present its burden falls almost en- ' tirely upon ourselves. Australia’s A jiassionate desire for racial purity H has led some .sections of Australian

opinion to take a mistaken viexv of .1 the British policy in the East, and tho Australian public is sometimes slow I to appreciate the policy of eoncentra- .’I ting tlio main fighting strength in , i European xvaters. If the Australians are intent on a ‘xvhite Australian’

ideal, they are also groxving more alive to the responsibilities it entails.” The “Times” xvelcomes the spirit of popular awakening expres- " sed by Mr. Deakin’s proposals for universal military training for coastal defence.