FUTURE NAVAL WARFARE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 322, 8 June 1911, Page 5

FUTURE NAVAL WARFARE.

AS AFFECTED BY THE DECLARATION OF LONDON. GERMAN CAUSTIC CO.vIMENT. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 7. 12.25 p.m. Berlin, June 7. The Krnz Zeitung, in commending the Imperial Conference's approval of the Declaration of London, doubts whether in war time the British under another Government would strictly adhere to the codified laws of naval warfare. It declares that Sir Edward Grey's statement regarding the supremacy of the fleet is scarcely in harmony with the new code, and describes as equally ques-1 tionable Lord Morley's statement in the House of Lords that the Admiralty believes the effect of the Declaration on the conduct of naval warfare would be slight. The paper quotes other speeches of British statesmen, especially their references to Britain's claim to. blockade the North Sea in war time. It argues that with changing party Government such an intention might be fulfilled. Sea Powers must therefore reckon on the possibility of British naval law being hereafter, as hitherto, expressed to the satisfaction of neutrals, whom even Britain must handle cautiously. Britain's present willingness to make concessions for the protection of neutral and weaker States is an indication that in view of possible coalitions she regards the establishment of international rules of naval warfare as useful in her own interests.