NAVAL DEFENCE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 87, 11 April 1912, Page 6

NAVAL DEFENCE.

CANADA’S SCHEME TO HELP THE MOTHERLAND. UNITED ACTION WANTED. .By Electric telegraph. —Copyright.) (United Press Association.J Ottawa,' April 10. Tho Hon. R. L. Hordern, Prime Minister, declares that the Quebec Oiironicle’s outline is foundationless. Nevertheless, some papers, while admitting that it is not proper that a policy should be promulgated before Mr. Hordern and Hon. J. D. Hazeu, Minister of Marine, submitted a scheme to the Admiralty, it is evident that means should be found, to test public opinion in Canada, Great Britain, and the other Dominions before Canada is formally committed th a definite scheme. BATTLE CRUISERS’ WORK. (Received 11, 4 8.5 a.m.) London, April 10. The Morning Post’s naval correspondent states that it will be interesting to see whether the cruisers Australia and New Zealand sail for Australasia at the end of the year. The best opinion has , long been that the only justification for such ships is the ability to use them as a fast wing cf the battle fleet. During the Navy 4 debate Mr Churchill referl%d to the necessity for a certain proportion of vessels of the greatest speed and the highest power being used to turn the enemy’s line or bring a hostile fleet to action or compel a retreating fleet to abandon portion of its force in preference to partaking in the general engagement. Mr Churchill’s description of the duties of battle cruisers, makes it obvious that the services which tiie battle cruiser will render ,was misunderstood when the Admiralty sanctioned the Australia and New Zealand joining the fleet units with only three second-class cruisers, even if the words which the Admiralty put into Mr Churchill’s mouth did not show the whole case. There was no immediate prospect of a battle fleet Ifcing required for the East. Hence it appears that the. Australia and New Zealand are unsuitable for the station to which a former Board of the Admiralty proposed'them to be sent. / ORDERS FOR DESTROYERS. (Received .11, 10.50 a.m ) London, April 10. The Admiralty has placed ordoi;; for sixteen destroyers of tho .1 Oil programme.