THE NAVAL CRISIS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 453, 25 March 1909, Page 3

THE NAVAL CRISIS.

NEW ZEALAND’S OFFER. ANNOUNCED IN LONDON. London, March 22. All the newspapers placarded Reuter’s report of the New Zealand offer of a Dreadnought and another if necessary. The Pall Mall Gazette declares it is a magnificent offer and should act as a stimulant to the Mother Country to place patriotism before party. The Times’ military correspondent, fearing it is impossible to sufficiently re-establish our naval supremacy urges the raising of a million well-trained territorials. GENEROUS AUSTRALIANS. At a private dinner given to Sir Harry Rawson three Sydney gentleman promised ,£IO,OOO each if a Dreadnought fund is opened. The Lord Mayors of Sydney and Melbourne, acting in concert, are arranging for public meetings to forward the Dreadnought presentation and are also communicating with the Mayors in the other State capitals with a view to similar action. CAUTIOUS MR KIDSTON. Brisbane, March 23. Mr Kidston declared he would be ashamed to associate himself with such a panic proposal as presenting a Dreadnought. He had no sort of sympathy with musichall patriotism or feverish action. If necessary let Britain float a loan for naval construction, but whatever was done let it be done with cool judgment. MR FISHER’S VIEWS. Melbourne, March 23. Mr Fisher, the Federal Premier, thinks the methods he intends to suggest will better serve the purpose than the presentation of a battleship. Referring to New Zealand’s action he said: “The circumstances in the Dominion are not the same as ours. For all practical purposes the Dominion, relying implicitly upon the Imperial Navy, does not contemplate the establishment of a navy of her own as we do.” The Lord Mayor, in acceding to a request by a deputation to call a Dreadnought meeting, declared Australia would not permit herself to be outdone by New Zealand. Mr Murray, speaking on defence matters, said he was not apprehensive that Germany and Britain were going to fight. The German was a peace-loving fellow, and did not go about looking for “stoush.” He would like to see neither country misled into a fit of war hysteria. When occasion arose the Mother Country was entitled to’ have from Australia her last man and penny in the defence of the Empire. AUSTRALIA’S DUTY. Sydney, March 23. The Herald, after referring to tire evidences 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 they regard as a great difficulty, says : “ The plain duty of our statesmen is to assist or compel Mr Fisher to devise a plan which will enable Australia to rival the generosity of New Zealand and do her share in what we believe to be the cause of peace as well as safety.” The Telegraph de'clares New Zealand’s offer is a significant hint to the world at large that the oversea Dominions will not be content with lip loyalty. There can be no question about it, and it may be hoped that Australia’s response will be equally emphatic. OPINION IN THE DOMINION. Auckland, March 23. The Auckland Stock Exchange passed a resolution congratulating Sir Joseph Ward on taking the initiative in offering to provide funds for a battleship, thereby setting a noble example to the British colonies. The members present expressed unanimous approval of the Premier’s action, three hearty cheers being given by way of emphasis. ' Dunedin, March 23. Mr T. K- Sidey considers that if the situation is really such as to jeopardise the supremacy of the British navy the action of Cabinet should be warmly approved. The moral effect of the offer must be tremendous. The Port Borough Council, on the motion of the Mayor, who described the Premier’s action as a mighty stroke, of policy which would be heartily endorsed throughout the Dominion, unanimously decided to send a congratulatory message to the Premier expressing appreciation of the Dominion’s offer. Col. Stoheham, addressing the City Guards, said the presentation of the battleship was one of the very best ways of conveying the Dominion's patriotic sentiments. The moral support would be worth more than the expenditure of even a million and a quarter. Sir James Mills entirely sympathises with the Cabinet in their offer, which he says will be all the more appreciated on account of its spontaneity. The Hon. Callan, formerly a Major of the Volunteers, says most of Germany is militant and her immense army is spoiling for a fight.

Hastings, March 23. Sir William Russell, interviewed, expressed strong approval of the prompt action of Cabinet, in offering a battleship which will stimulate Britain’s other oversea dependencies. Commenting on the failure to maintain the two Power standard he said : “ I am far from sure that it will be an unmixed evil to Britain ; possibly in such case universal training will be determined and fears of invasion will belong to past history. BRAZIL’S DREADNOUGHTS. London, March 22. Brazil denies that it is her intention to cede her Dreadnoughts to any Power and declares they are necessary for the protection of her own long coast. [Brazil and Chili are both increasing the numerical strength of their navies, and it is expected that this year there will be under construction eight Dreadnoughts for South American States. It has been pointed out more than once that the transfer of even three or four of these ships to a European Power would vitally affect the balance of force.] THE NEW GERMAN CRUISER. Berlin, March 22, The German cruiser Von der Tauu will be ready for sea six months before the official date. She cost ,£1,833,000, only ,£SOOO less than the batteships Nassau. Her tonnage is ig,ooo. [The British cruisers Invincible, Inflexible, and Indomitable are each of 17,250 tons, so that the new German vessel has a tonnage greater by 175°* The new German vessel is no doubt called after the well-known Bavarian general, Baron von der Tann-Rathamshau-sen.] A SUGGESTION. London, March 22. Professor Byles suggests that the Commonwealth Government appoint two Australian engineers to watch the building of their destroyers and conduct the voyage to Australia. The knowledge thus gained would prove valuable to Australian shipbuilding yards. SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS. Capetown, March 22. Lord Methuen, speaking at Johannesburg, advocated the establishment of a South African reserve of rifle clubs composed of veterans. Mr Smuts eulogised Lord Methuen’s work and approved the proposal. THE 'PROFFERED BATTLESHIP. Lord Pluuket’s cablegram containing New Zealand’s offer of Dreadnoughts was immedietely conveyed to the King, Mr Asquith, and the Admiralty. . Prominent Canadians, stirred by Australasia’s lead, are raising the question of offering a Dreadnought. The Daily Mail declared:—“We shall gladly accept these precious gifts from the oversea Dominions, but must be prepared ourselves to lay down eight Dreadnoughts and continue the process annually until supremacy is indisputably established.” Wellington, March 23. The Secretary of State for the Colonies has cabled to the Governor :—“I should hasten to assure your Prime Minister that his message has been received by me with the highest appreciation of the generous and spontaneous offer on behalf of New Zealand. It will be laid before His Majesty’s Government.” Sir Joseph Ward told a New Zealand Times representative tonight that legislation would be required to give effect to the proposal, so that the idea suggested in some quarters that the Government had departed from a democratic attitude in not consulting Parliament was not correct. London, March 23. The Unionist newspapers applaud the patriotic spirit prompting the Australasian offers and argue that the general feeling is “that we ought not to need them and that if we have failed in our duty this is not the occasion whereon we ought to ask the colonies to come to help us out.” The papers indignantly deny there is anything in the nature of a panic but simply a steady determination not to be outstripped in a vital competition. The Morning Post declares that Australasia's splendid example will have a far-reaching effect in quickening the spirit and hardening the Motherland in the resolution to unflinchingly face the task before her. The Times, remarking that the censure debate was virtually anticipated in yesterday’s debate on the naval vote, warns Mr Asquith that the unscrupulous agitator referred to in his speech was clever enough to rouse the city into indignation on one hand and on the other to cause New Zealand to offer one or even two Dreadnoughts, and to evoke striking demonstrations, daily recorded, of a sense of partnership in Imperial responsibilities in all the selfgoverning Dominions. It adds: “The country and Empire by 1 extraordinary unanimity judged ; his measures to be inadequate.” London, March 24. In the House of Commons,, during the debate on the naval vote, Messrs H. W. Beauchamp and A. C. Beck urged the Government to include four conditional Dreadnoughts in the 1909-10 programme. Mr E. R. Ridsale, Liberal mem-

ber for Brighton, emphasising the grave anxiety existing throughout the length and breadth of the land, said it was unfair to describe it as manipulated. It could be allayed at the cost of four more Dreadnoughts. “ For heaven’s sake, why not lay them down ?” he asked, amidst Opposition cheers. The Lord Mayor of Bristol, declined to receive a Navy League deputation in favour of calling a meeting in support of a strong naval policy, declaring that as a vote of censure was being discussed the question now was a political one. Berlin, March 23. Admiral Tirpitz, in the Reichstag, defending the Krupp monopoly, claimed that the German naval administration in seven years had secured a reduction of 30 per cent, in the prices of armour plates. Sydney, March 24. The newspapers are overflowing with letters for and against the presentation of a Dreadnought. The bulk are fervently enthusiastic and laudatory of New Zealand’s example. The suggestions range from the gift of one battleship to a squadron. ' Melbourne, March 24. The annual conference of the Australian Natives’ Association resolved that Parliaments and people should unite in offering a Dreadnought while at the same time emphasising {the necessity of proceeding with the Australian defence policy. The association decided to contribute ,£250 from its funds if a presentation list was opened.