The Daily News. FRIDAY, MARCH 29. "EXCUSE US, BUT-"

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 232, 29 March 1912, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, MARCH 29. "EXCUSE US, BUT-"

If the relations between Germany and Britain had been strained in Nelson's time, and supposing that Germany then had a navy, the great admiral would hardly have begged Germany's pardon and asked her what she was going to do about maintaining peace. He would have hit first. It is commonly supposed that British naval officers are of an apologetic breed nowadays, and that they would do anything to prevent war. As a matter of fact, no British naval officer dare say what he thinks about the situation, and the only chance one has of hearing what the Navy thinks is to gather the officers' opinions privately. If it were possible to take a vote of the British navy on the question, "Shall ther« be war with Germany?" there would be an overwhelming majority for "Yes." It is generally held that Admiral Lord Charles Beresford is an indiscreet man, but it is safe to say that he really does voice the opinion of the British Navy. He is enabled to do this because he does not now belong to the Navy, but he still wields an enormous influence in the great service by his public utterances. Lord Charles Beresford's idea is that the navy is a weapon of "offence," as distinct from "defence." He counsels what every naval officer would counsel, if he dared, to "go for Germany." The diplomatists counsel keeping the peace until Germany is better able to thrash Britain. Germany seems to be adamant in regard to the continuation of the policy to keep' on building. Britain is bound to maintain the two-Power standard because of Germany's determination. The Kaiser has shown himself decidedly cross that Britain should suggest a mutual dimunition of building and assumes that Britain is insolent in counselling a nation which believes itself to be as powerful as Britain, and which is conserving its strength to strike a blow for the premier place on earth. We must presume that were Germany ready to strike this blow she would accept any incident as an excuse for so doing. Britain is much more long suffering, knowing her strength. The terrific naval and military programme to be followed by Germany will be carried out if German people permit it. The only possible excuse for the carrying out of a programme that will impoverish the German Empire and make Germany a beggar at the doors of every pawnbroking nation of Europe, is the use of the tremendously increased forces. It is impossible to argue that Germany intends these increases as an assurance of peace, for peace might be maintained even if Germain - diminished her forces

by one-half. There is a. strong prcsumplion that not only are the (Jerinan navy and the German army positively aching to '■ Ih-h their maiden swords." bill, thai tlie more reticrnl: senior service of Britain is equally anxious to try conclusions No one who has the good fortune to be intimately acquainted with

Navy men will deny this. In the meantime at we have said, it is only public ; opinion on both sides of the Channel and, public deeds that can end the intolerable situation which means a constant drain on the purses of the two peoples and a constant irritation of the populations of both empires. The Kaiser and his Ministers are not likely to take the advice of British Ministers, and it seems that such advice only irritates our cousins. The report that German reservists in various parts of the British Empire are flocking to Germany to join the colors may be disturbing to the average civilian. On the whole it may be a very good thing to precipitate events so that the two Powers know where they stand in their relation as friends or enemies. A conflict would mean intolerable injury, misery and death, but if a conflict is inevitable the sooner it is ended the better | for all hands.