Imperial Defence.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7821, 13 May 1905, Page 2

Imperial Defence.

INVASION OF ENGLAND IMPOSSIBLE. INDIA'S REQUIREMENTS.

(Ueceivod May 12, 9.37 p.m.) LONDON, May 12. In the House of Commons, in Committee of Supply, on the Civil Service estimates, Mr Ualfour mode a / weighty and warmly applauded statement based on the conclusions >f the Committee of Defence, and attiucod many reasons, with figures «ad in imaginary or concrete case, to .show that even if the fleets were absent from Home waters a Power like France would find the invasion of England an insurmountable undertaking. The invasion of India was •* possible, but while Afghanistan artjd as a buffer state, India would never be tuk«a with a rush, too main problem toeing one of transport supply and the possibility of tt. collision of magnitude at an early stage Of the advance. Lord Kitchen* .•r's view was that besides the drafts there must be available (or the defence of India relatively early eight divisions of infantry and other cor* responding arms, all from Great Britain. "It ought, in my opinion," said Mr Ualfour, "to be considered on act of direct aggression ■» against Ureat Britain if an attempt . m made to build a railway «. Afghanistan in connection with the Hussian strategic railway.

TUB RUSSIAN RAILWAY. HEAVY BLOW AT INDIA. WE MIST PAY FOR LAXITY, (Received May 13,11.4 p.m.) LONDON, May 12. Prior to referring to the Afghans not'assisting railway builders, Mr. Balfour said there were not iim smallest grounds for believing that Russia intend* to build such railway.: If the attempt were made it would be the heaviest bjtow that could be aimed at India, if Great Britain was prepared resolutely to say that railways may be built in ~ Afghanistan,, but only in war time and nut in peace time. Ho added : "I think it is wiUHn our power without fundamental re-organisation of our foroos such as is implied in con* scription or any similar device, Co> moke India and the colonies (finally with the Motherland absolutely cure. If, however, by laxity on Minduct* or cowardice we permit tan slow absorption of Afghanistan in like manner as we must necessarily ixrimit the absorption ' of ates of Central Asia, and strategic railways are 'allowed to creep closer, to our frontier, we are bound to defend the country and pay for our supinoness by having to keep a siudl larger army*