OUR NAVAL SUPREMACY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2131, 21 January 1880, Page 3

OUR NAVAL SUPREMACY.

At last (says the “Pall Mall Gazette ”) the Admirality seem to be waking up to the perception that our spuaclrons in the pacific need immediate reinforcement. The decision to send out fresh vessels.has not been arrived at a moment too soon :-nor do an ironclad and a corvette, represent the amount of additional strength which is imperatively required. It is idle to talk of the im T portance of our mercantile marine in the event of war. Nobody doubts that though we have tied up our right arm by the .Declaration of Paris, we should come completely triumphant out of any long maritime struggle. What has to be guarded against is an attack during the first few months of hostilities. An amount of mischief might bo done at the start, especially if, as was threatened when things looked grave, the Declaration of Paris were suddenly denounced by our antagonist, which, if accompanied by any misfortunes on land, might effect the attitude of this country seriously. To overlook such possibilities in times like these, when rumors of war extend over the whole surface of the old world, would indeed be worse than childish. All, even including Mr Gladstone, hold that our paval supremacy should be maintained at any cost. Once more, then, it is well to remember that the most probable combination J now to be looked for in politics would command, to begin \vith, :a ; naval force considerably superior, to - our own in comparison to the 1 interests we should have to protect. ' '