THE GERMAN NAVY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 228, 25 March 1912, Page 5

THE GERMAN NAVY.

DETAILS OP DEFENCE BILL. INCREASED EXPENDITURE OX ARMY AND NAVY. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received March 24, 5.5 p.m. Berlin, March 23. The newspapers give further details of the defence Bills. These show the increases to lie £4,850,000 in 1012 £0,350.000 in 1013, £5,700,000 in 1014. The navy increases are £750,000 in 1012, 1,400,000 in 1913, £1,900;000 in 1914, £looo',ooo in 1015, and £2,150,000 in 1910. The new construction shows three battleships, two small cruisers, numbers of submarines and some airships. The Bill remedies two defects in the organisation. One deals with the dismissal of naval reservists every autumn, diminishing the fleet for battle. The second that out of the budget strength of fifty-nine slips only twenty-one are available if the reserve fleet cannot be got ready promptly. These defects will be remedied by the gradual formation of a third active squadron. The Army Bill accelerates the strengthening of the peace forces, which !t was not intended to effect until 1914, but will now be carried out net October giving two new army corps by '■■e addition of twenty-nine thousand 1 :i to the present increase, provided i lie 1011 increases are met by the surplus of the 1911 new excise duties.