THE BRITISH NAVY.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 March 1916, Page 4

THE BRITISH NAVY.

Viewed in the light of Mr. Churchill's criticism, the statement made in the House of Commons by Mr. Balfour concerning the Navy may be regarded with sumo concern. At the same time 11 is evident that Mr. Balfour intentionally refrained from giving any information concerning new battleships, merely stating that the losses in armored cruisers had not been replaced as their present superiority was enormous and incontestable. This may mean that the armored ctuiscrs i>rc out of favor, and that ships of a type more suitable for modern warfare are being- substituted. Certainly, Mr. Balfour was optimistic in his re-. marks as to the strength of the Navy when he =aid: ''lt must be a poor spirit who surveyed the position and measured the greatness of the fleet in comparison with thai ot the enemy, and could not face the future in a spirit of cheerful serenity.'' That practically implies there is no ground for anxiety, but Mr. Bajfour admitted that the Admiralty was not satisfied with the present progress nf the shipbuilding programme. Mr. Churchill was justified in his note of warnii.g against relaxation of cU'orfc on Use Admiralty's part, and his emphatic contention that our fleet must be the fiist- charge on the labor and resources of the country was certainly warranted. Jt was only natural that lie stood up for his own programme, which he claimed would have met all contingencies, but, considering the practically antagonistic relations' which existed between himself and Lord Fisher, it- <s sii'pricing to find Mr. Churchill ad vocath;g Lord Fisher's recall to the Admiralty On one portion of his remarks the public will be inclined to agree with Sir. Churchill, and that is as to the failure of the Admiralty to adequately cope with the Zeppelins by destroying them in their sheds. It is not surprising that Mr. Churchill's speech created quite a sensation, nor is it to be wond.Ted at that Lord Fisher listened to it with u grim smile, but the announcement which was made that Lord Fisher had joined the War Council will be welcomed throughout the Empire. Mr. Balfour's speech was more remarkable for what was left undisclosed than for the statements it contained. It may be assumed that the Admiralty is quite alive to and prepared for any move that the German fleet may make, and if we may jt'dge from the reports of those who have been permitted to inspect Britain's naval strength there is 110 ground for lack of confidence in the ability of the Navy to maintain its supremacy should it be challenged by the enemy.