Imperial Defence.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 94, 14 April 1914, Page 5

Imperial Defence.

FEDERAL NAVY POLICY, "FRUITLESS ALLIANCES." [By Electric Tklbouaph—Copyright) [United Prkbs Asbooiatioh.] Sydney, April 13. Senator Milieu (Minister of Defence) has issued a comprehensive statement of the Federal naval policy, m view of Mr Churchill's recent speed!. He quotes Mr Churchill as saying that the battle cruiser is not a necessary part of a fleet unit provided by the dominions, that the presence of such vessels in the Pacific is not necessary in British interests, and compares this with the advice given by the Imperial Government at the 1909 Conference, when it was stated that the I smallest fleet which should he aimed lat should consist of an armoured cruiser of the Dreadnought type, three iunarinored cruisers of the Bristol type, six destroyers, and three submarines. The Admiralty was then of the opinion that three battle cruisers were necessary in the Pacific. This view was endorsed by Admiral Henderson in 1911. Australians joined in heartily hoping that the good Tinderstanding with Japan would continue indefinitely. At the samo time it would bo difficult to accept the existence of that alliance as a reason for the departure from the naval programme adopted, for the pages of history were strewn with the wreckago of fruitless alliances. In any case, the present one may not be renewed. He concludes: — "Australia is irrevocably pledged to and will pursue with determination the policy agreed upon with the Imperial Government five years ago, and will not bo deflected by the remarks of the First Lord of the Admiralty regarding the task undertaken, which- is vital to the cause of Imperial defence, and essential as a safeguard for our own protection."

AUSTRALIAN BLUEJACKETS. London, April 12. Sir George Reid states that Admiral Patey told him he was more than pleased with the battleship Australia and the seamen, of whom he spoke in the highest terms. Sir George adds that their readiness to serve and their obedience to discipline should silence British detractors. The position in the Far East was unsatisfactory. The time must come when India must help to maintain a fleet in the Pacific, and Canada must do the same, though per position differed in several respects from Australia, f i THE FRANK CONFESSION. The Chronicle says: ."Mb..Churchill has recognised and. rightly abstained from blaming the dominions' feeling in favor of local fleets, but it needs more than recognition—it should bo made the foundation of the Admiralty's policy towards the dominions. Until then there is bound to bo a certain amount of unreality and misunderstanding in reciprocal naval arrangements. Mr Milieu's ~ Sydney speech strengthens this moral. Wo may regret Australia's frank confession that Australian sentiment dislikes the Japanese Alliance, and simultaneously hint that battle-crui-sers are required to make...a show against Japan, but the sentiment exists. Meanwhile, Mr Millen does not rise to the suggestion of an Imperial squadron, and really, after the Commonwealth has been encouraged to build a Dreadnought for Australian waters, why should he?"

A BUILDING ORDER. (Received. 9.20 a.m.) London, April 13. Mr John Brown, Clydebank, lias provisionally accepted the order for tlio Commonwealth's submarines and depot ship. NEWSPAPER COMMENT. (Received 9.20 a.m.) London, April 13. The Pall Mall Gazette, commenting on Senator Milieu's statement, says: "One of the*>worst achievements of the present Government is the destruction of the Dominion's confidence in the Imperial Navy policy. Senator Millen's protost makes sad reading for those recalling the hopes raised by the 1909 conference. The Dominions see the British Government shirking the standards which itself set up. Senator Millen rightly points out that Britain in 1909 preached a continuity of policy, and is now turning the policy inside out. Australia and Canada have good reason to suspect the sincerity of the Admiralty's professions. The result is that co-operation is weakened." The Globo remarks that Sir George Reid's message from, Australia is decidedly inspiring. Australia possesses special attraction for British emigrants because nowhere else do they so readily feel at,home. Her growing attachment to the Mother Country simply fulfills these expectations. None of her lessons are more impressive than the manner in which the defence problem is faced.