DEFENCE MATTERS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 94, 25 August 1913, Page 5

DEFENCE MATTERS.

"THE EMPIRE FOR US ALL.'' THE AUSTRALIAN NAVY. [By Electric Telegraph— Copyright] 1 United Press Association.J Capetown, August 22. 'lhe Australia nwarships were opened to children, and several thousauds visited tiiein. Subsequently the Australian community paid a visit, and a couple of Hags from one hundred Australian ladies were presetned. The creivs were entertained at dinner m the grounds of the Premier's residence. lhe Administrator Governor, who is a Dutchman, presided, 'and spoke enthusiastically of the Imperial Navy. "if tiie old lion is attacked," he said, "the cubs' hair will not only stand on end but they will uso their I teeth." Capetown, August 23. Sir W. de Waal, in the absence of Ministers, •in welcoming the Australian battleships, said that perhaps j South Africans in the defence of their 'shores would realise, as undoubtedly Australia did, a greater feeling of nationality in the pride of the possession of such a beautiful fleet as Australia was building up. AFTER DINNER SPEECHES. Capetown, August 21. At the dinner at Parliament House in honor of the officers of the Australian warships, Sir Nicholas de Waal, representing the Union Government, presided over an attendance of 200 guests. He proposed the toast of Australia, and in the course of his speech, referring to General Hertzog's recent statement that it was a pernicious principle to consult the British Government in regard to the Navy, recalled the fact that the late Hon. Hoi'meyer, head' of the Africander Bond, at the London and Ottawa conferences, advocated contribution to the Imperial Navy by means of a supertax on foreign goods. He added that the Hon. Hofmeyer represented tho views of the whole Dutch-speaking population of the Cape, and declared emphatically that the Dutchmen's • views had not changed and South Africa would tako up her hurdens, and they would realise more and more that, although the cry was "Australia for the Australians," "Canada for the Canadians," and "South Africa' for tho South Africans," the Empire was for us all. Admiral Paley, in.responding,, said , tint it was light for each overseas Dominion to decide for itself what was the best way of contributing towards the defence of tho Empire. He was sure that the whole of, tho Dominions, no mat-to rwjiat political party was in power, had the good of the Empire at heart. THE BALANCE OF POWER. BRITAIN DOES NOTHING. • ■ ■ ' ■ _ ■■'■:';•■ [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] Tikes— Sydney Sun Special Cables. London, August 23. The Times publishes a special article on militarism in Europe. It emphasises the point that England is not increasing her forces. It continues: The least we can do is tdd to the weight of the Triple Entente by means of naval and expeditionary forces for offensive war. These things are impracticable until we create a national army that will deprive., an enemy of the temptation to attack us. We are leaning upon France in the Mediterranean, the United States in the Carribean Sea, and Japan in the Pacific, while our French and Russian partners of the entente are taking strenuous action to preserve the***'-? , ance.