NAVAL POLICY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 43, 21 October 1913, Page 5

NAVAL POLICY.

BRSTAIN AND GERMANY. OPINION FROM GERMANY. [Bv Electric Telegraph—Copyright] [United Press Association.] Loudon, October 20. The Daily Mail’s Berlin correspondent says that the best-informed naval circles consider Lord Churchill’s proposal undebateable, and even more one-sided than the 1-912 suggestion. If carried out, the ten to sixteen proportion would fall to pieces. If Mr Churchill was permitted *a accept Canadian Dreadnoughts or their equivalent, he would also have the privilege of unrestricted building, in the event of international developments a position might arise where the Germans would have to stand with folded arms in the presence of a proportion of five British to no German boats. Admiral Von Koester .regards the idea as incomprehensible for a fleet intended to defend the coasts against all enemies. Captain Kroina hopes that the two .Governments will appoint a Commission jointly to study a basis for agreement, and carry out the holiday idea. PRESS CRITICISM. London, October 20. The Chronicle says that it is somewhat unlucky that the naval holiday idea may seem to be a challenge of the position taken up by many Germans, that the amount of Germany’s shipbuilding does not depend on ours. However many ships Germany builds, we build enough to prevent the proportion between the two navies being altered. Our disadvantage, therefore, is nothing derogatory to Gerdignity or independence in considering whether both cannot limit the outlay, if only for a year. Hie Daily News says that unless Mr Churchill brings the Mediterranean and colonial ships within the scope ot the oiler no foreign Government | will accept it. Also, making it con-: tingeht that other Powers slmukbshow similar lescraint necessarily weakens the chance of success. But apart I Irom any arrangement with Germany, I there is an unanswerable case for I building fewer ships. Mr Churchill’s; present proposal standard is extra-j vngantly excessive.

1 he T uionist newspapers are sceptical regarding tlie; effect of the overtures.

i.he. .Daily Mail shys that if the, re-‘ ply fisl unfavourable, Mr,, Churchill’n IhiTorls will not be ■fruitless.. They "ill have demonstrated to the Liberal parties and advocates of retreneh-!mGilt"-tliaf"-fTiefr '"policy’ naval reductions,, 4s impracticable.

THE EIGHT LEADING POWERS. |pj|| AX comparison^ .fllsjf I f 5 * f jf ■ j fiy .K' Times—Sydney Special Cables: /Recced 8.0 a .ni.) London, October 20. A Parlimentarv paper shows the naval exiienditure of the eight principal Powers in 1913 and 1911; Money. Men. Lritain ... 47.021.636 116,000 United States 29,498,867 67,907 UusMi ... 24,291,434 32,463 . Germany ... 23.039,194 73,176 France ... 20,847.763 63,596 Italy 10.157, big 37.905 Japan ... 9,860.912 unavailable Austria-Hungary 6,006,551 19,191 SYNOD SUPPORTS DEFENCE ACT. [Per Press Association.] Auckland, October 21. The Anglican Synod carried, without dissent, a resolution deploring the evils of war, but approving the Xew Zealand Defence Act as calculated to secure natiPual safety, and by training and discipline to promote the moral and physical well-being of the youth of the Dominion.