THE NAVAL SITUATION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 143, 29 March 1909, Page 5

THE NAVAL SITUATION.

New Zealand's offer Accepted. In the House of Commons on March : 24th, the Prime Minister, Mr Ascroith, announced that the Government had accepted New Zealand's unconditional offer of a Dreadnought, and a second if necessary. Earl Crewe. Secretary of I State for the Colonics, hat cabled an \ important dispatch to Lord Plunket, Governor of New Zealand.

Socialist speakers on the Budget Committee of the Reichstag in the debate following the statement of Herr von Schoen. Forcing Minister, complained that Germany had palpably refused to take England's hand when she intimated in a general way her readiness to come to an understanding upon the cost of naval construction. The 'Times' reports that all parties, excepting the Socialists, insisted that it was not a question of Germany reducing her naval programme. It should be plain to England that Germany was determined to rapidly complete the construction of the vessels provided for. Most of tho South African newspapers urge the continuity of the maintenance of the two-Power standard as Britain's naval poilcy.

American Comments. The "New York Sun," in comment- I ing on the international situation which has arisen as a result of Germany's acceleration of her naval programme, declares that Americans are acutely involved in any disaster which might befall England. The "Sun" adds that j the American people are not blind to f heir own interests.