THE NAVAL ESTIMATES.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1917, Page 1

THE NAVAL ESTIMATES.

Sir E- Carson Explains.

(Australian &. N Cable Association).

LONDON, Feb. 22.

In tlu? House of Commons, Sir Edward Carson, in introducing the Naval (Estimates, said (tlio House wn/ asked to vote 400,000 men. Up to October last 8,000,000 men had been moved Oversea, with only one or itwo untoward incidents, besides 912,000,000 tons of explosives and war material. Since tno war commenced the Navy bad examined 25,874 ships.

The submarine danger was a grave problem, which was not yet solved, but ho was confident that measures were being devised that would gradually ana greatly mitigate the seriousness of it. An anti-submarine departin' l )t has now been established, composed of the Otst experienced men. The number of armed merchantmen had increased by over forty-seven per cent during the last two months, and wo are arming and improving them weekly. Sixty-nine Allied and neutral steamers, each over 1000 tons, and totally 201,000 tons have been sunk during the first eighteen days in December, and sixty-five vessels of a tonnage of 182,532 tons had been sunk during the same period in January, arid 89 of a tonnage of 268,631 dun >g the same peroid in February. Altogether 11, 91, and 134 vessels bad been sunk during these periods respectively. From the Ist to 18th of February, 6,176 ships arrived, and 8,879 left the United Kingdom. He. estimated that there were 3000 ships in the danger zone at any one time.

Eulogising JJiicae.

LONDON, Feb. 21

3ii the House of Commons, Sir- Edward Carson in submitting the Navy ilvstimaites said that the country was fortunate in having Sir John Jcllicoe at the Admiralty. His knowledge of the service was unparalleled. Admiral ■Beatty had the confidence of every man serving under him. Lord Fisher, who is presiding over the Inventions Board, would he associated with the greatest scientist in the country.

He (Sir Edward Carson) believed that some critics of the Government suggest the non-publication of the ships lost, as it will give Germany useful information, hut ho believed the information would only make the country more determined to achieve victory. Despite the sinkings, not a single sailor would refuse to. sail. 'Neutrals might bo nervous and frightened, but the spirit of our sailors was going to win the war. Neutrals would soon resume sailings. After* giving instances and reports of 'the dealing with the fate of suomarincs, Sir Edward said: “The Navy is doing its best, but I am bound to say wo must be firmly determined to take such other measures as could be devised, on the assumption that it is only by degrees that the danger can bo mitigated.

CSiirchill on the Blockade

LONDON, Feb. 21

In the House of Commons, Mr Winston Churchill said that although there wore good grounds for believing that the submarine campaign would not exorcise a decisive influence on the war of 1917, we are not yet entitled to claim that time was on our side. Wo have at last reached a very high degree of strin cnery in our blockade, without losing flic goodwill of neutrals. The entry of America- into the war would decisively derange the fearful equipoise between tho conflicting nations now existing. The present relations between the United States and Germany showed that consideration for rights of neutrals and humanity did not gp wholly unrewarded.