THE RACE FOR ARMAMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 257, 30 April 1912, Page 8

THE RACE FOR ARMAMENTS

GERMAN INCREASE. THREE BIG SHIPS ANNUALLY INSTEAD OF TWO. AVe now know the increase in the German fleet. The essential feature of the new programme is that three capital ships will be laid down annually in the next three years instead of two. The increase in the permanent active fleet amounts to one battleship squadron, two large and six small cruisers in home waters, and two large cruisers abroad. The so-called "Material Reserve" disappears, but in addition the ships hitherto in reserve and now to he permanently commissioned are to be three additional capital ships and two small cruisers. The building plan from 1912 to 1914 will, according to this scheme, be two battleships, one large and two small cruisers annually; from 1915 to 1917, one battleship and one large cruiser; 1918 to 1927, two battleships and one cruiser; after 1928 three battleships and one cruiser.

It is understood that the Conservatives, the Centre, and the majority of the National Liberals will introduce an amendment providing for the continuous construction of three capital ships yearly, instead of dropping to two from 1915 to 1917 and rising to four after 1928. The Duke of Argyll, writing to Herr Lionel Caro, secretary of the GermanEnglish Union, says:—

"That each nation must protect as it thinks beat the trade procured by the energy of its citizens is so evident a truth that it seems very useless and childish that there should be any carping at any increase in armaments deemed necessary by either Empire." The Abendpost publishes a sensational story to the effect that Cuxhaven is immediately to be converted into a naval base. Cuxhaven is already a central station for mine-layers. Torpedo-boats are permanently stationed there, and a submarine station will shortly be commenced. The Lokalauzeiger says the shooting of the Cuxhaven shore batteries before the Kaiser was magnificent, 75 pc-r cent, of all the shots directed at the rapidly-towed targets, representing an enemy's fleet attempting to force the passage of the Elbe, hit the targets which were blown to atoms. '