PROTECTION OF COMMERCE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 509, 16 October 1912, Page 7

PROTECTION OF COMMERCE.

It is accepted almost as an axiom in these days that a war between any of the great Powers will tax the naval resources of each to the utmost, leaving the protection of sea-borne commerce entirely out of the question so far aB the detailing of battleships or cruisers fjr such duty is concerned. Recent cablegrams from London have shown that the British Admiralty inclines to the generally-accepted view, and that it is making provision for the use of fast mercantile marine steamers as auxiliary cruisers for the protection of trade routes in war time. Additional particulars regarding the Admiralty's plans in this direction have been published recently in the London newspapers. The arrangements completed up to last month are said to include a confirmation of the existing agreement with the Cunard Company, under which the line is subsidised to the extent of £150,000 per annum, contingent upon the whole of its fleet being placed at the disposal of the Government in time of war. The Lusitania and Mauretania are each being fitted to receive an armament of twelve 6in guns. The South African Government has offered to build seven mail steamships, fitted as auxiliary cruisers, to run between Britain and the Cape, and it is probable that this offer will be accepted. Canada has also made a proposal under which the British Government will have the use of a number of armed merchantmen. The arrangements now completed or pending completion provide for the patrolling of the trade routes between Britain and the United States, between Britain and South Africa, between Britain and the Far East (Suez Canal route), and between Canada and Australia. Depots for auxiliary cruiserß are to be established at various places along the principal trade routes and guns and ammunition will be stored in £hese depots, so that merchantmen may be speedily converted into warships.