CAPTAIN MAHAN ON GERMAN NAVAL EXPANSION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 138, 10 July 1909, Page 4

CAPTAIN MAHAN ON GERMAN NAVAL EXPANSION.

I An important article by Captain Mahan, entitled "Germany's Naval Amjliitions," appears in Collier's Weekly. I Germany, Captain Mahan says, has stolen a' march on Great; Britain in two respects "she has advanced towards the fulfilment of a programme which contemplates a navy stronger than the 'present British . . . and, further, she has -created unseen facilities which Jnablc her to maintain this gain, for she can now go on building as rapidly as pher supposed Tival." Captain Mahan, however, docs not hold that the situation ofi regards Great ■Britain, .embarrassing though it is, as "immediately menacing a* pessimists \ssert"; but he believes, none the Jess, diat "an extraordinary situation has been created, and that henceforth, if Govso will and can find money, the iwo-t'Powcr standard of the British Fleet, iccepted by Liberals as well asConserva/ipes, canpot be maintained." fifese new conditions, according to Captain Italian, arc a matter of very grave concern to the United States. "It is surely incumbent upon us to recognise that there is now visible in the near future a foreign fleet decisively superior to our own. . . . Great .Britain will also have such a fleet and Superior; but a long history of inter- . '»' contention, together with the nations.. • „ ada not to k ol exposure of Ca... - t meßlory kindlier relations and .. , q gul r e of good offices' done us, make c_ •. as anything can be that Great Britain can have no wish te contravene our his« toric policy known as the Monroe Doctrine. . " . Germany's action as regards the Monroe Doctrine has also beqn scrupulously in accord with our position; and for that reason no one has a right to suggest any purpose to the contrary, for the future, But . . . arc we willing now 'to leave a permanent element of national policy dependent upon the uncertain indulgence of a foreign State which is notoriously thirsting for colonisation in the supposed interest of racial development?"