THE NAVAL CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 52, 26 March 1909, Page 3

THE NAVAL CRISIS.

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SEW ZEALAND'S DREADNOUGHT. liiiti ■- . ' — THE OFFER ACCEPTED. £i:.L.'.... London, March 24 In the House of Commons, Mr. Ascpjith announced that the Government tad accepted Xew Zealand's oiler and that the Earl of Crewe had cabled the important despatch to Lord Plunkett. "XEW ZEALAND'S PATRIOTIC OFFER." BRITAIN'S APPRECIATION.'"FELT IX EVERY ENGLISH STREET AND LANE." Received March 23, 10.50 p.m. Loudon, March 25. The Tillies declares it is sincerely glad at the Government's acceptance of Xew Zealand's patriotic offer in the same spirit that prompted it. The message accepting the offer, says The Times, would be read in Xew Zealand as exI pressing the appreciation and gratitude felt in every English street and lane. It adds that there seems no reason why New Zealand's battleship should not be laid down as soon as arrangements can be made.

"A GLORIOUS LEAD." NEW ZEALAND'S ACTION. A CONTRAST TO A PITIFUL ATTITUDE. Received 25, 10.20 p.m. London, March 25. Lord Accringtoa, speaking at the National Liberal Club, slid New Zealand and three New South Wales residents had given, a glorious lead. If the national sacrifices required it let the wealthy men set an example to all. This was a contrast to the pitiful attitude of the paaie-stricken Opposition.

SUGGESTED MEMORIAL TO SIR JOSEPH WARD. BRITISH PARLIAMENTS. APPRECIATION. Received March 25, 11.15 pan. London, March 25. A movement is on foot to send Sir Joseph Ward, Premier of New Zealand, a memorial signed by members of all parties, conveying Parliament's thanks tor New Zealand's offer of Dreadnoughts. ENGLAND'S SHIPBUILDING CAPACITY. Received March 25, 10.5U p.m. i London, March 25. .Mrs VSckers, of Vickers, Sta and, Maxim, states that their yards will be able to complete three Dreadnoughts in three years, and thereafter one complete every half-year. The yards can 'also equip artillery for seven Dreadnoughts in three years. He added that no country's output was comparable with England's. NO NECESSITY TO BUY FOREIGN i DREADNOUGHTS. Received 25, 9.55 p.m. London, March 25. In the House of Commons, Mr. Reginald McKenna, First Lord of the Admiralty, replying to Mr. Helosley. said it was not desirable to secure the refusal of foreign battleships no.w being huift in England. "If we .wanted ships we should building them ourselves. Oar superiority in strength in " I'JOU-1910.. woflld be so great that their purchase iy another Power could not alarm the Board of Admiralty.

THE CLYDE WORKS. iW'HAT THEY ARE CAPABLE OF. Received 25, 10.20 p.m. Loudon, March 25. Mr. McKenna, replying 'to Mr. James Dundas White, stated that the Clyde yard's were capable of building six Dreadnoughts. CANADA GROWIXGLY STIRRED. 'NEW ZEALAND "AND AUSTRALIA'S , EXAMPLE. Received March 25, 10 JO p.m. Ottawa, Majc-h 2-3. Canada is growiugly stirred by NewZealand's and Australia's example. The Premier (Sir Wilfrid Laurier) is .considering a contribution to the navy. SUPREMACY' OF THE SEA. London, March 24. The Leeds Chamber of Commerce at'opted a resolution urging the necessity of maintaining at all cost the svjremacy of the sea. "•THE WATER-TIGHT COMPARTMENT. AN APPEAL TO THE PREMIER. r London, March 24.

. Lord George Hamilton has written .1 letter to The Times remarking that every financial year the "Water-tight Compartment" argues that the Admiralty might be freed from checks which are daily interfering with the rapid til. interrupted prosecution of great shipbuilding programmes. The Times dwelling on Ilerr von Schoen's statement that the Reichstag's mewed faith in the intangibility of the Naval Act, appeals to M\ Asquith thlait the only course open to ua is to niake concessions to the national feelteg and avoid a party division on the Xavv question. • It* adds' that Mr: W. H. Beauchamp and other Liberal Commoners openly pleaded with him during Monday's debate in favour of cigut Dreadnought-. Such a resolution, it says, would set at rest all possible doubts and underline the magnificent demonstration of solidarity now stirring the Empire to its depths.

"-BRITAIN MUST COPY GERMANY

' "NEW ZEALAND'S WONDERFUL OFFER." ! London, March 24. • Mr. Haldanc, Secretary for War. at .the National Liberal Club, advised the avoidance of undignified scares, but 'said that the present safety did not answer for future -safety unless to show more energy and forethought.. It was impossible to say that the future would take care of itself. He urged the maintenance of a large supremacy over the jiaval force of any other country, and "said that Britain must copy the (seriua»»' steadiness and thoroughness, lie warmly appreciated New Zealand's wonderful offer, and declared that it illustrated the spirit of our own llesh and blood across the seas. AMERICA AND ENGLAND. New York, March 24. The New York Sun declares that 'Americans will be acutely involved in any disaster which might befall England. and that they are not Wind to their own interest.

SOUTH AFRICAN VIEWS. , Capetown, March 24. ' South African newspapers mostly urge the continuity of the naval policy and the maintenance of a two-Power standard. AUSTRALIAN ACTIONS AND OPINIONS. •Sydney, March 25. Dreadnought promises amount t"| '£«0,000. A meeting convened by the Lord Mayor at the Town Hall tonight. for the purpose of launching a Dreadnought Fund promises to be a monster demoristration. The Herald says that if this meeting and the one convened iu Melbourne are enthusiastic and unanimous it does not despair of Mr Fisher, Federal Premier, allowing popular fcelin» to be expressed through the. constitutional channel. If he fails to do so he loses the best opportunity Australia ever had of vindicating her claim to liave a share in the Government of the Empire an* displaying a rniitv of Empire to the world. But should he fail, there is no rsaton why New South Wales and do as much as New

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AtUMIRAL JIUSAXQUKTS MEWS.

X<> I'KAI! OF GERMAN COMI'LICf TIOXS. XO .NEED Kill; I>AX| C . Received 25, 111,50 ~,,„, Freuiantle. March 25. Admiral liosan,,., . t , the new Governor of South Australia, arrived bv the Onirah. In the course 0I „„ interview, ho said at the lircseiit uioment there was no great tear of Herman complications. 11,. bad not sec, the papers dealing with the naval crisis, but, speaking in a general way, Britain will keep building Dreadnoughts as fast as Germany Both Mr. Asuuilh and Mr. McKenna had distinctly: and repeatedly stated thai they would not allow the' Navy to fall behind the standard n-ccssary for the protection of the Empire It wis ""possible to believe that there was ninch minutuioa for the alarmist reports that the naval standard wouldnot be adequately maintained. There «as no need for the panic such as was described in the cables, -j v j nv t |„, matte,-," he said, -with no alarm. Of course Germany is getting richer and wants to extend her Empire, but I rely on the repeated statements of .Mr Asqu.th that Britain will keep ahead of German enterprise in shipping."

CONCERTED ACTION FAVORED. Melbourne, March 25. Members of the Ministry are in favor of concerted action by the States in regard to the Dreadnought scheme. Perth. March 25. The local branch of tile Australian Natives' Association resolved that the presentation of a Dreadnought is out of place, at the present time, and that if money is available it should be devoted to the Australian Navy. Brisbane, March 25. The Mayor, replying to a request from the Stock Exchange to call a Dreadnought meeting, said he did not think lie was justified in doing so. It would be like inaugurating a panic movement.

ENTHUSIASTIC DEMONSTRATION IN SYDNEY. EMULATION OF NEW ZEALAND URGEID. DEMAND FOR THE PRESENTATION OF A DREADNOUGHT. Received 20', 1 a.m. Sydney, March 25. The Lord Mayor presided over one of the largest and most cgthusiastic demonstrations ever held in Sydney for the object of initiating a Dreadnought fund. The Town Hall wan densely packed, The proceedings were constantly punctuated with the singing of patriotic songs. The speakers included Messrs Geo. H. Reid, Joseph Cook, B. R. Wise and Bruce Smith. The speeches were strongly patriotic, ami condemned the halting" policy of the Commonwealth. The leaders urged the emulation, of New Zealand, whose prompt and splendid response was culogiswl:— The following resolutions were passed:—That it is the. opinion of this meeting of citizens, glorying in the tradition of the British race, that the time has arrived for the Commonwealth to take an active share in th* naval defence oi the. Empire; that in view of the expressed determination of Britain's rivals to challenge her naval supremacy that Australia should present a Dreadnought to the British Navy as an immediate expression of her invincible resolve to stand by the Mather Country and take her place in the Empire's fighting line.

DREADNOUGHT MEETING IN MELBOURNE. UNBOUNDED ENTHUSIASM. PRESENTATION OF A SHIP TO BRITAIN. Received 2<i, 1 a.m. Melbourne, March 20. The Dreadnought meeting to-night at the Town Hall was marked by unlioundeit enthusiasm. Hundreds were unable to gain admission and held a meeting of their Own. The Lord -Mayor presided. Mr. Murray (Premier of Victoria), Sir Thomas Bent (the late Premier), and a number of State members and others delivered rousing speeches. Resolutions were passed to the effect that the command of the sea was absolutely essential to the integrity of the Empire and safety to the oversea dominions and favoring the presenting of a Dreadnought.

HOUSE OF COMMONS CONGRATULATIONS. Wellington, Last Night. This morning the Prime Minister received the following cablegram dated London, 24th March: "The members of the House of Commons cordially appreciate the magnificent offer of the New Zealand Dominion. Signature* by mail." Hundreds of congratulatory messages all acclaiming New Zealand's gift, continue to pour in on Sir Joseph Ward. Colonel Cliaytor, who is at present in London, cabled: "Congratulations; New Zealanders here proud.' " Well done N'ew Zealand," runs another cable from London. A doctor cabled as follows: "Congratulations Dreadnought offer Britannia, which keepeth watch and ' ward'."

BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S DESPATCH NOT YET RECEIVED BY THE GOVERNOR. THE PREMIER'S STATEMENT. Wellington, Last Night. A despatch was forwarded to the Governor by the Secretary of State for the Colonies concerning New Zealand's offer of a Dreadnought. It apparently had not reached its recipient last night. To-night Sir Joseph Ward (Prime Minister) was interviewed on the subject by a New Zealand Times' representative, but could not enlighten him. and said he had received no communication from'his Excellency. This, he assumed, was due to the fact, that Lord Plunket was journeying by sea along .the east coast'.of the North Island, and had been unable to effect a landing to-day. If such despatch as had been referred to in the newspapers had been sent, the chances were that he had not yet received it. His Mcellency was due lit Opotiki on Friday (to-day 1 at 10 a.ni,. and if he then received news from the Home Government he would in turn communicate it to the Prime Minister. Sir Joseph said he would then furnish the Press with such information from it as was not of a confidential nature.

FARMERS' UNION APPROVAL, " Pulmersto.iN'.. La-l Night

The provincial executive of the Fa rulers' Union resolved to bring a remit before the provincial conference approving of the gift of a first-class battleship. the ruEMiKit conuratulated. luvercargill, Last Night. . At a special meeting of the Southland rtttinch of the Navy League, to consider tlie battleship offer, the following resolution was unanimously passed: "That the executive of the Southland liranch of the Navy League congratulate the Premier on the offer made to the Imperial government on behalf of the Dominion, which gives practical recognition of the obligations of the Mrilish colonies to give adequate support to the Navy." ... ,

Mr. Leyland, member of the Timber Commission and president of Auckland Defence League, stated Ilia I he was thoroughly in agreement with the Pre-| inier' proposal, and considered •'»" Oov-| eriiiiient had done the light tiling in the ri"ht wav and at the right tunc, and., if thev erred at all. they erred on the. li.-lit side, tin the question of national defence .Mr. Levland said the volunteer force is inadequate, the ammunition insufficient, the gnus obsolete, and. generallv. thai the volunteer system as an nrniv defence force is almost farcical. What the Defence League proposed was that everv young man in the Dominion should have military training until the k"e of 21; then, in'cases of emergency, our young men would be dial Is in Hie rough, and could be easily and quickly formed into an adequate anil sound defence force, that would be able to prevent a raiding party from obtaining a footing in the country. The League totally opposed conscription, hut eon tended that military training should be jrJven,