THE NAVY ESTIMATES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 225, 21 March 1912, Page 5

THE NAVY ESTIMATES

GENERAL APPROVAL OF THE SPEECH. THE REFERENCES TO GERMANY. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. London March 19. In the House of Commons Mr. Lee approved of Mr. Churchill's speech, but doubted whether he had provided the bare minimum consistent with full security. Lord Charles Beresford regarded the speech as a threat to Germany. Mr. Churchill, he said, should have stated the nation's requirements without reference to any Power. The two keels proposition was an insult to Germany. The Times declares that the speech was the best exposition of naval policy since 1889. The only doubt is whether tha measure of superiority is great enough. Unionist papers generally applaud the speech. The Daily News doubts the efficacy of a formidable and equivocal olive branch accompanied with a declaration that Germany is the only enemy we have to reckon with, and that we are building against her alone. The Standard states that Germany has purchased twelve 33-knot destroyers which have been privately completed at Schichau yards, besides twelve others completed in 1911. England projected forty destroyers in the programmes Of 1911 to 1913, but produced only seven. INTEREST IN GERMANY. Berlin, March 19. Mr. Churchill's speech is being eagerly discussed. The Lokalanzeiger says the speech is a decisive step in the direction of a naval understanding. THE MEDITERRANEAN SQUADRON. Received March 20, 11.45 p.m. London, March 20. Mr. Winston Churchill, speaking in the j House of Commons, intimated that Gibraltar would shortly be the base of the Mediterranean squadron.