THE BRITISH NAVY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 224, 10 February 1913, Page 5

THE BRITISH NAVY.

KEEN PRESS CRITICISM. GERMANY'S ATTITi. DE. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. Received 9, 5.5 p.m. London, February 8. The Daily Mail, quoting Mr. Churchill's January speech, in further qualification of his speech made in July, 1912, with reference to Canadian ships, and also eventually the Mediterranean power, undertaking a considerable programme, says that hence t lie 130 per cent, superiority asked for in his speech Applied to the past and not to the present or the future. Consequently Britain's programme is subject to alteration if the Mediterranean Powers increased their fleets, as they are now doing. He adds that if Admiral Von Tirpitz, Secretary of German Naval Affairs, accepts the ratio with these qualifications, the first' step towards better relations will have been taken, but on the present programmes the British margin for Dreadnoughts for J!H(! is only 50 per cent., if the Dominion ships are not counted. The Telegraph's Berlin correspondent says that the statements made in the Reichstag are calculated to strengthen the erroneous German impression that Mr. Churchill offered a 10 to 10 ratio for all ships for all time. General Tirpitz would doubtless like to tie Britain to such a ratio, hut when the British Dreadnoughts were obsolescent and the ratio was altered, there would be an outcry demanding a further Navy Bill. Apart from Admiral Tirpitz's willingness to accept the ratio, it would be some time before Germany was ripe for another naval project. The people's shoulders were sore from their last burdens and the high price of necessaries. Moreover it would be difficult to squeeze out five million sterling annually under the newArmy Bill. The Times' Berlin correspondent declares that Admiral Tirpitz merely made a declaration that Germany does not intend to make a fresh spurt. No agreement has been made and no negotiations begun. THE DOMINIONS' PATRIOTISM. Received 10, 1*2.25 a.m. London. February 9. The Evening Standard declares that the Anglo-German understanding is probably due to the Dominions' practical patriotism.