THE BRITISH NAVY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 47, 24 February 1913, Page 5

THE BRITISH NAVY.

FIVE SHIPS OF A NEW Tl t'E. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) (Received 8.5 a.m.) London, February 23. The Observer states that five ships are included in the forthcoming programme. They are neither battleships nor battle cruisers, but of a hybrid type of 28,000 tons, 13)-inch armour, and with a speed of 25 knots. Eight 15- or new armoured cruisers will bo 300 tons heavier than their predecessors, while submersibles will replace destroyers. The new type will have a surface speed approacning that of the river type of destroyers. AUSTRALIANS AS PATROLS IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC. London, February 22. The Morning Post’s naval correspondent declares that if the Australian navy is taking patrol duties in the South Pacific, rather serious questions will arise. It seems quite clear that the Australian navy is not under the Admiralty’s orders, so the Admiralty cannot be responsible for its actions. The Commonwealth is not a sovereign Power. Accordingly, Australian ships will not be recognised abroad as part of the British navy, or will be ignored as possessing no place in the international law. If the Australian navy is refused recognition by ships of a foreign Power it will bo deeply Insulted; yet the vessels not representing a sovereign Power are regarded as privateers and pirates. It is possible that some secret arrangement has bo onncecE fa shrdluetaoicmfw lias been concluded between the Governments of Britain and the Coranmonwealth settling these points.