THE BRITISH NAVY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 268, 22 March 1911, Page 5

THE BRITISH NAVY

| DEBATE OX THE ESTIMATES. Ity Gable—Pi**.* Association—Copyright. Received 21, 10.15 p.m. London, March 21. In the House of Commons, during the Navy Estimates debate, Lord Charles Bcresford declared that Germany would have 33 capital ships in 1017, and probably 58, since she must continue building owing to the money invested in yards and armament factories, and the number of workmen employed. Thirty-one new British cruisers would be required to cope with the merchant ships which other nations claimed the right to arin. Mr. McKenna asserted the possibility of Lord Beresford's contention, but Great Britain did not admit the claim; consequently they must await events. If the merchant ships were commissioned, Britain would prove fully equal to the emergency. It was time to consider howto act when the emergency arose. THE RIVAL FLEETS. Although Mr. McKenna states that he does not accept Mr. Lee's estimate of the position in 1914,110 alternative statement has yet been supplied since the Estimates were tabled. On March 14, Mr. McKenna stated that in the spring of 1914, the British and German Dreadnoughts would compare as under:— Great Britain 30 Germany 21 British margin 9 Four Austrian and six Italian ships are under construction or projected. Tile "Daily Mail Year Book" states that four of the Italian vessels, and two of the Austrian ones will be completed at the end of 1913, which would therefore give' the comparison for the beginning" of 1914: Great Britain 30 Triple Alliance 27 British margin 3