Naval Supremacy

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 192, 12 February 1912, Page 5

Naval Supremacy

BRITAIN'S UNFLINCHING DUTY. STIRRING SPEECH BY MR. CHURCHILL. By Cable—Pres*' Association—Copyright. London, February 9. Mr. Churchill, at Glasgow, was entertained at luncheon by the Clyde Navigation Trust. - In a vigorous speech he emphasised the necessity of maintaining naval supremacy, and said that, while they would welcome any slackening of eonstruction on the' Continent, an increase would be met by England, not by words. but by deeds. Whatever happened .abroad, there would be no whining by Britain. The whole fortune of the race depended on the Navy. Germany was a great Power before she had a single ship, and whereas the Navy involved Britain's existence, it only involved Germany's expansion. The German navy was in some respects in the nature of a luxury.

"STOLID AND INFLEXIBLE." THE NAVAL RACE. ' A REASSURING STATEMENT. Received 11, 5.15 p.m. London, February 10. Mr. Churchill declared that the British Navy, ship for ship, was superior to that of any other Power. The latest l3Jsin. gun was the finest weapon ever possessed .by the Navy; which was in a state of the highest preparedness. The tumors that the Navy was not ready in 1911 was baseless. He hoped the creation of a war staff would render such

rumors impossible. The increase in the efficiency of all branches of the Navy was essentially for defensive purposes. Britain had not dreamt of aggression, nor attributed such a thought to other Powers. There wu this difference between German and English naval power: We could not menace a single Continental hamlet, however rapreme our navy. England was great by reason of her navy, while Germany was great and honored the world over before she possessed a single ship. The whole fortune and centuries of achievements of the British Empire would be «wept away if her naval supremacy was impaired.

Newspapers hinted at the prospects of further European naval increases. That was serious, because, besides the growing size of everything connected with navies and the increasing cost, the nations of Europe were pressing each other into almost indefinite expansion and expense. "We have met it. and faced the situation with composure, because at every point we had the matter well in band. The country was never more united in its resolve to maintain our naval supremacy. The resources at the Chancellor's command were ample for all requirements. A considerable body of naval opinion favored a naval loan. Doubtless it would be ensily obtainable, feat it would be sheer waste to build beyand the effective mastery of the seas. What was wanted was steady building, bat no violent departure from existing methods or a capricious adoption of great loans. It might be worthy of consideration to plan the adoption of a naval programme extending over several years, instead of the present annual appropriations, so that there would be no chance of being overtaken in naval strength. Britain could build faster and cheaper than any Power, and there was no difficulty in recruiting. "Whatever might happen abroad, there would be no whining here, and no cries for help or succour. We will face the future as our ancestors did—stolidly, ininflexibly. We will be the first to welcome the slackening of rivalry and to meet it with deeds, not words. But if the competition became acute, we would increase the ratio of naval strength to make the margin of superiority larger, and as the strain became greater we w«uld show the Powers that instead of overtaking us they would be outdistanced."

LORD HALDANE'S VISIT. REMOVING POINTS OF DIFFERENCE. Berlin, February 8. The Tagliche Rundschau declares that Britain met a cordial response to an enquiry u to Germany's willingness permanently to remove points of difference by a definition of their respective spheres. Diplomatists are examining the points throughout the world where interests olash, and the contemplated agreement will probably embrace colonial naval and railway questions. Doubtless Lord Haldane's visit is connected with diplomatic explanations. Paris, February 9. Notwithstanding English assurances that Lord Haldane's visit is a private one, the newspapers couple the visit with the fact that Lord Charles Beresford lunched with the Kaiser, as indicating a possible Anglo-German rapprochement. Berlin, February 9. Lord Haldane's visit is the engrossing topic. He met tho- Chancellor at lunch at the Embassy, after the latter's interview with the Kaiser. Lord Haldanc informed interviewers that his visit was not a political one. Lord Haldane bad luncheon with thr Kaiser, Chancellor, and Director of Foreign Affairs. London, February 9. The Foreign Office lias issued a statement that Lord Haldnne is enquiring into scientific education at the universities. a< he is well known to the leading people in that department iit Germany. Doubtless this covers AngloGerman relations. MUTUAL EXPLANATIONS. Received 11, 5.15 p.m. London, February 9. The Times' Berlin correspondent states

that Lord Haldane is engaged in an authoritative but theoretically unofficial discussion on Anglo-German relations, in order to learn the true nature of the German policy and to explain the British policy. The majority of newspapers are sympathetic in regard to improved relations, but are reserved regarding the possible details. IMPRESSING~THE GERMANS. LORD HALDANE'S MISSION. Received 9, 5.15 p.m. • ... London, February 9. ~: Mr. Churchill's firm tone at Glasgow is interpreted as a desire to impress Germans in connection with Lord Haldane's visit, that Britain intends to maintain her present naval supremacy and will not seek a mutual agreement under any alleged financial or other pres sure. Sir E. Grey notified France and Rmsia, prior to the Berlin visit, that if Lord Haldane discussed political questions they would be kept informed. A LASTING AGREEMENT. GREAT HOPES ENTERTAINED. Received 12, 12.10 a.m. Berlin, February 11. Lord Haldane was for several hours in the Imperial Palace. He interviewed Herr von Stumm, director of British and American Affairs at the Foreign Office, and dined with Herr Hollwegg (Chancellor) and Count von Kiderlen-Waechter (Minister for Foreign Affairs), and several generals. The Neufreipresse's Berlin correspondent, referring to Lord Haldnne's visit, declares that a disposition exists on both sides in favor of a lasting agreement.