THE NAVAL RACE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 235, 22 February 1913, Page 3

THE NAVAL RACE.

ill!. CriURCIiII.LN SI'KKt IIKS. I When introducing the Navy Estimates in the House of ■('ominous la-t March. Mr.' Churchill said that if two ships were added to the German constriction in the next six years. Britain would lay down four. If the Hermans liked to drop the increase. Britain would reduce her programme correspondingly. The Admiralty's present standard, compared with Germany's, was 00 per cent, superior in battleships and Dreadnought cruisers. That would sullice for live years if Germany did not alter her plans. As the. pre-Dreadnought ships declined in fighting value, the ratio would rise above 00 per cent. If Germany increased bcr construction programme, Britain would meet it upon a higher ratio of superiority by building four additional »iips, spread over six years. lie wished to make it clear that any retardations or reductions in the German programme would meet with Britain's prompt response.

Mr. Churchill continued: "Contingent on Hie absence of dangers elsewhere, supposing both Britain and Germany took a year's holiday? Three German ships would not' be built. Germany would save nearly seven millions, and would automatically wipe out live potential Krili-di Dreadnoughts. Germany would W no gainer by an increase nor a loser bv n ditctionon the basis be had laid down. Tt afforded a plan whereby, without diplomatic negotiations, bargaining or restriction of freedom, keen and costly rivalry could be abated."