ENGLAND'S SUPREMACY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 61, 12 November 1913, Page 5

ENGLAND'S SUPREMACY.

PLAIN SPEAKING BY BRITISH MINISTERS. By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] [United Press Association.]

London, November 11. At the banquet there was a brilliant company, including the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie.

Mr Winston Churchill, responding to the toast of "The Imperial Forces,'' said that next year they would have 150,000 sailors and marines, the largest number on record. Although at present we were freer from danger to European peace than some years ago, there must be no relaxation. Germany's unbroken naval developments, ,her ship-building and the efforts of other Powers required, that they must make a greater expenditure and exertion than they had yet made in peace time. Therefore the estimates for 1914 would be considerably greater. Nevertheless, the Government would strive for an abatement in the competition which was the bane and reproach of modern Europe. Their submarine service was double that of the next strongest Power. He did not fear comparison with other countries in the matter of sea planes, hut the time has not yet come to supplement Dreadnoughts bj submarines. Air craft were also necessary and England must become the first nation in aircraft superiority. They must make up their minds for the necessarv outlay.

Mr Asquith, replying to the toast of "The Government," said that the Balkan conflict had happily ceased. Things had been done beyond the inevitable horrors of war which shocked and repelled the whole civilised world. Although the Powers had shown themselves impotent to prevent and curtail bloodshed, it was a satisfactory feature that the area was circumscribed, and the Towers had had much to do in connection with this. He was gratified that Asia Minor was not in-

volved in the conflict. If invited, Great Britain would gladly assist Asia | Minor in her development. The. Go'vornrnent was anxious to see a stable government established in China. Retelling to Mexico, he said that the most Great Britain could do was to protect the lives and property of those on the coastal regions. The statement that Great Britain had adopted a policy deliberately opposed to the United States was absoultely unfounded. Tn recognising President Huerta's government he felt that he alone appeared able to restore order. Nothing could happen to disturb the friendly relations with the United States.