GERMANY'S ACTIVITY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 142, 25 March 1909, Page 2

GERMANY'S ACTIVITY.

o Zeppelin's Airship Trials. The German cruiser, Von der Tann, which was launched with the greatest secrecy at Hamburg on Monday, will be ready for sea six months before the official date of her completion. She will have cost, when ready for sea, a total of £1,833,000, or only £SOOO less than the German Dreadnought Nassau, indicating that she is a battleshipcruiser of the Indomitable type. Count Zeppelin's military airship, carrying a military crew of 25 passengers, continued her trials yesterday, when she covered 150 miles in four hours' flight with and against the wind. The "Times" referring to the political situation, says that Mr Asquith is defending his own policy or that of Sir Edward Grey, Secretary, of State for Foreign Affairs, but that a compromise has been forced by recalcitrant members of the Liberal Party.

The German Programme. Several members of the House of Commons on both sides of the House are pressing Mr Asquith for an explanation regarding his fruitless overtures to Germany for mutual reduction, as mentioned in his speech on the occasion of the introduction of the Naval Estimates.

The"Cologne Gazette" now explains that no proposals were put forward,but there was a confidential inquiry, which Germany declined to entertain, on the ground that she was determined to execute her programme at all costs. The "Times," alluding to Mr Balfour's censure motion, discussing Mr Asquith's difficulties, declares that he can never avert party division ani rehabilitate the Government enormously in the estimation of the public by an explicit and unequivocal pledge that eigftt Dreadnoughts will be begun in 1909 and completed in the most rapid possible time. Australian Views. Mr Andrew Fisher, Premier of the Commonwealth, thinks that the methods he intends to suggest will better serve the purpose whereat all are aiming than the presentation of a battleship. Referring to New Zealand's action, he says: ; "The circumstances in the Dominion are not the same as ours. For all practical purposes the Dominion is relying implicitly upon the Imperial Navy, and does not contemplate the establishment of a navy of her own, as we do." Queensland Premier's Attiiude. Mr Wm. ftidston, Premier pf Queensand, said that he would be ashamed to associate himself with such a panic proposal as presenting a dreadnought to Britain. He had no sort of sympathy with music hall patriotism or feverish action. "If necessary," he said, "let Britain float a loan for naval construction but, whatever be done, let it be done in cool judgmepl."

Victorian Premier Optimistic, j Mr John Murray, Premier of Victor- j ia, speaking of defence matters, said j he Vitus not apprehensive of that Ger- j many and Britain were going to fight, j The German was a peaceloving fellow, j and did not go about looking for j stoush." "He would like to see nei- j ther country misled into a fit of war j hysteria. When the occasion arose, j the Mother .Country was entitled to ! have from Australia the last liion and | the last penny in the defence of the j Empire. j The Lord Mayor of Melbourne, acced- j ing to the request of a deputation to ; call a "Dreadnought" ' meeting, deeiaied that Australia would not permit herself to be outdone by Zealand. The Lord Mayors of Sydney and Melbourne are acting in concert in arrang- j ing public meetings to forward the J

Dreadnought presentation, and are also communicating with the Mayors of other State capitals of with a view to similar action. In the Cause of Peace. The "Sydney Morning Herald," after referring to the evidence on all sides and expressed through every available channel, of the readiness of the great majority of Australians to commit themselves to some considerable sacrifice in order to assist the Mother Country in what thc-y regard as a great difficulty says: "It is the plain duty of our statesmen to assist or compel, Mr Fisher to devise a plan which will enable Australia re rival the generostiy of New Zealand and do her share in what we believe to be the cause of peace as well as of safety." The "Daily Telegraph" declares that New Zealand's offer it a significant hint to the world at large that oversea dominions will not be with lip loyalty. It may be hoped that Australia's response will be equally emphatic. At a private dinner given by Sir Henry Rawson, Governor of New South Wales, three Sydney gentlemen promised £IO,OOO each if a Dreadnought fund were opened.