BRITAIN’S PROGRAMME

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8350, 10 February 1913, Page 7

BRITAIN’S PROGRAMME

SUBJECT TO ALTERATIONS. IF MEDITERRANEAN ROWERS INCREASE THEIR FLEETS. ADMIRAL VON TiRJfITZ WOULD LIKE TO TIE BRITAIN. (Received February 9, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, February 9. The “Daily Mail," quoting Mr Churchill's January speech in further qualification, of his speech made in July, 1912, in reference to Canadian ships, also to tho eventuality of a Mediterranean Power undertaking a considerable programme, says: “Hence the sixty per cent, superiority asked for in his speech applied to the past, and not to the present or to the future. Consequently Great Britain's programme is subject to alteration if Mediterranean Powers increased their fleets, as they are now doing.” The “Mail” adds that if Admiral von Tirpitz accepts the ratio with these qualifications, the first step towards better relations will have been taken; but;' on the present programmes the British margin of Dreadnoughts in 1916 will be only fifty per centum, if the Dominions’ ships are not counted. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Berlin correspondent ..says that the statements made in the ’ Reichstag are calculated to strengthen the erroneous German impression that Mr Churchill offered a sixteen to ten ratio for all ships for all time. Admiral von Tirpitz would doubtless like to tie Great Britain to such. a ratio, but when the British Dreadnoughts are obsolescent and the ratio altered there will be an outcry demanding a further Navy Bill. Apart from Admiral von Tirpitz’s willingness to accept the ratioj it will be some time before Germany is ripe for another naval project. The people’s shoulders are sore at last of their burdens and of the high price of the necessaries of life. Moreover, it will be difficult to squeeze out the five millions sterling annually under the new Army Bill. “The Times’ ” Berlin correspondent declares that Admiral von Tirpitz’s' speech is merely a declaration that Germany does not intend to make a fresh spurt. No agreement has been made and no negotiations begun!