THE BRITISH NAVY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 57, 25 July 1912, Page 5

THE BRITISH NAVY.

I MB. CHURCHILL'S SPEECH. GROUPING OK THE POWERS. THE LABOR PARTY.

By Cabla— Pre« AwKsiation—Copyright. London, July 23. Mr. Churchill said that New Zealand, with her usual patriotism—(cheers)— had aided in this course of concentration. A torpedo station would be established at Alexandria. He paid a tribute to Mr. Borden, and announced that the intentions of Canada would not be published until the delegates had returned and consulted their colleagues. The unity of the Empire carried the safety of its component parts, probably, carried the peace of the world. The progress of the Australian fleet unit was continuous, and facilitated the new fleet organisation by releasing men for service nearer home.

Mr. Balfour said that Mr. Churchill's •urvey touched not merelj- the issues of peace and war, but revealed that the «Ter-darkening cloud which was threatening from the European side was balanced by the fact that Canada realised, aa New Zealand and the other Dominions had realised, the changing situation of the Empire and the responsibilities which the situation inevitably threw upon every component element of the Empire. "If," said Mr. Balfour, "we cannot look forward to relief from the burden of armaments, we can feel that the resources of the Empire are increasingly available, and that we have beJiind us its whole strength." (Cheers.) Possibly an elastic defence committee provided interim machinery for the consideration of policy. He added that he believed that the organisation of the Powers on a defensive basis made war impossible owing to the ententes. The fleet was not inadequate to meet any strain.

Mr. Asquith agreed that the grouping of the Powers was a guarantee of peace. "We are," he said, "most reluctant competitors in the naval rivalry, but the expenditure is justified in order to secure our shores, our Dominions, oar commerce, and peace." Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald said the Labor Party would take its stand with the men in Germany who were opposed to the increase in the navy. Lord Charles Beresford said the immediate danger would come within the next two or three years. The Russian fleet would not be ready for a considerable time, and he did not think the French navy would be a great' support; therefore Britain must bear the brunt. "BUILDING FOR PEACE."

London, July 23. Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald', continuing the debate on the Naval Estimates, said he viewed the statements in the House of Commons with much suspicion. "We are building for peace," he said, "but the tone of diplomacy is not always peaceful. The whole attitude and temper of the German mind had been altered by provocative speeches inside and outside the House. Ido not wish to detract from the spirit in which the cooperation of the Dominions has been referred to, but I realise that a great political revolution is contemplated in the government of the Empire, whereby we shall no longer have the sole decisive voice in the Imperial policy." PRESS COMMENT.' London, July 23. Unionist newspapers say that Mr. Churchill's speech is disappointing. Some consider that the margin of superiority is too narrow. The Times and Daily Mail say that Sir. Churchill has not provided for new construction. _ The Dailv News says that the appalling situation is due to friendships implying antagonism to Germany. The Dailv Mail says that", although Mr. Churchill stated that the Cabinet had granted all that was asked, his present policy was totaljy different from his previous speeches. If Mr. Churchill was right in March in withdrawing the battle fleet from Malta to strengthen the North Sea fleet, he must now be wrong in sending the ships back to the Mediterranean. The menace in the North Sea has in nowise diminished since March.

DEBATE IN THE LORDS,

Received 24. 9.30 p.m

London, July 24. In the House of Lords Lord Selborne drew attention to the gravity of the situation revealed by Mr. Churchill. The Government's proposals, he said, were temporary makeshifts, and proved that we were at least eight battleships short. He recommended the immediate construction of a new squadron. He endorsed the references to the Dominions making a revolution in the Empire's history. Lord Crewe admitted the gravity of tne situation, but the announcement of a great building programme would simply spur on the others and defeat our own object. He welcomed the participation of the Dominions, which must mean representation on the councils of the Empire. Our best powers should be used to consider how best this was achievable. Mr. Haldane agreed that in the absence of sufficient sea power the garrisons of the Mediterranean were ludicrously inadequate, but the country was now giving adequate sea power. The Government, he said, had made up its mind that Britain's position depended on her sea power. "We hold/' he added, "only a power which our rivals can emulate in the friendliest fashion. Our Tiew is that whatever their efforts they must reckon on our making greater ones.

Vienna, July 24. The Xeuie Freie Presse declares that Austria's naval construction is purely defensive, and is not directed at any Power. The 1013 Estimates, it says, -will not contain any further provision for Dreadnoughts. CONTINENTAL COMMENT. Received 24, 10.15 p.m. London, July 24. The Berlin Press receives Mr. Churchill's speech cooly. The Tagliehe Rundschau compliments him on his frankness. The Vossische Zeitung asks who began the senseless competition. Germany invented neither Dreadnoughts, superDreadnoughts nor submarines. It hopes that the British people will become convinced of Germany's peacefulness and strive for a confidential understanding ending this competition.

The Frankfurt Gazette says that Britain acknowledges that alone it cannot maintain its necessary position in the Mediterranean. Will Britain still fail to *ee that nothing but the phantom of German offensive armaments has Irought her to this pass? COLONIAL VIEWS. Ottawa, July 24. The Liberal newspapers regard Mr. Churchill's speech as laying the foundation of an Imperial policy overseas, making the colonics jissured of enhanced importance in Imperial affairs. The Ottawa Free Press predicts that a special session will pass an immediate

naval contribution of ten to fifteen mil lion dollars.

The French Liberal press deplore Canada's participation in British naval defence.

I Capetown, July 24. The newspapers discuss the inadequacy of the South African naval contribution. CANADIAN FEELING. Received 25, 12.25 a.m. Ottawa, July 24. 'Almost general support is given to Mr. Borden's attitude in aiding Britain's naval expansion. The French-Canadians express fear for Canadian autonomy. A section deplores Mr. Borden being led away by the big navy party in Britain.