THE BRITISH NAVY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 35, 10 February 1913, Page 6

THE BRITISH NAVY.

GERMANY’S ATTITUDE. London, February 8. The -Daily Mail, quoting Mr Churchill’s January speech, in further qualification of his speech made in July, 1912, with reference to Canadian ships, and also eventually the Mediterranean power, undertaking a considerable .programme, says that hence the 60 per cent superiority asked for in his speech applied to the past and not to the present or the future. Consequently Britain’s programme is subject to alteration if the Mediterranean Powers increased their, fleets, as they ate now doing. He adds that if Admiral Von Tirpitz, Secretary or German Naval Affairs, accepts the ratio with these qualifications, the first step towards better relations will have been taken, but on the present programmes the British margin for Dreadnoughts for 1916 is only 50 per cent if the dominion ships are not counted. The Telegraph’s Berlin correspondent says tfiat the statements made in the Reichstag are calculated to strengthen the erroneous German impression that Mr Churchill offered a 16 to 10 ratio for all ships for all time. Admiral Tirpitz would doubtless like to tie Britain to such a ratio, .but when the British Dreadnoughts were obsolescent and the ratio was altered, there would be an outcry demanding a further Navy Bill. Apart from Adt miral Tirpitz’s willingness to accept the ratio, it would be some time before Germany was ripe for another naval project. The people’s shoulders were sore from their last burdens, and the high price of necessaries. Moreover, it would be difficult to squeeze out live million sterling annually under the new Army Bill.

The Times’ Berlin Correspondent declares that Admiral Tirpitz merely made a declaration that Germany does not intend to make a fresh spurt. No agreement has been made and no negotiations begun.

THE DOMINIONS’ PATRIOTISM. London, February 9. The Evening Standard declares that the Anglo-Gorman understanding is probably due to the Dominions’ practical patriotism. THE TWO-KEELS STANDARD. (Received 8.0 a.in.) London, February 9. The Observer insists on a two-keel standard, and adds: “Admiral Von Tirpitz suggests a temporary settlement on Germany’s terms. England’s naval strength would be subject to widespread dispersion, while Germany’s would bo concentrated on the North Sea. The only safe settlement would be a triplice and entente, not by England and Germany’ alone, but by the whole British sea power. The future depends on the growth of the Empire movement. Berlin, February 9. The Liberal Radical press welcome Admiral Tirpitz’s proposal as the forerunner of naval peace. The Nationalist papers are sceptical of the proposed rates, and declare that they have no meaning without guarantees regarding colonial Dreadnoughts. “NOT GERMANY ALONE.” (Received 9.45 a.m.) London, February 10. The Navy League insists on Britain maintaining the two-keels standard. It states that Britain is not concerned with Germany alone. A powerful fleet of ten Dreadnoughts would be in commission in the Mediterranean by the end of 1915, and Britain would need a one-power ,standard there. PRESS CLIPPINGS. (Received 9.40 a.m.) Paris, February 9. Lo Temps says; “Admiral Von Tirpitz simply means that Germany is not preparing a new programme, a negative decision which will produce an excellent impression in Britain.” Berlin, February 9. The press largely accept Tirpitz’s margin. Herr Gcrsius, wilting to the Berliner Tageblatt, says: “The declaration is a complete break-away from the previous standpoint that limitation is impossible. He* points out it would be suicidal from Britain’s Standpoint to allow the German navy to grow relatively and stronger; and to prevent it, the senseless system must be ended in no chaffering spirit.” The Reichsbote says: “It is a mistake to believe we can now disarm. The time is too critical. Britain’s policy is not steady enough for Germany to trust her across the road.” The Tagliche Rundschau says: “Germany will be only sufficiently protected when the proportion is \\ to one.” The Schlesische Zeitung says: “Admiral! Von Tirpitz made simply a friendly theoretical declaration.”