ON THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 March 1919, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

FATE OP GERMAN VESSELS. AN AMERICAN 1 STATEMENT. AMERICAN NAVY MUST BE EQUAL TO BRITAIN'S. Received March 31, 1 a.m. London, March 28Admiral Wevmas and Admiral Benson and Mr Daniels conferred regarding the disposition of the German warships. No decision was reached. New York, March 28. A New York Times' Paris message reports that the American memorandum regarding the disposition of the jennan Naw will be presented to the Peace Congress, and will probably be adopted. The Americans tacitly favor sinking the German ship J. They declare an increase in naval strength in European waters is unnecessary because the German naval menace is removed. They i!«o oppose the distribution of the captured Tiavv. pointing out that if distribution is based on naval losses the "-*<■ share would be given to Btj- • which would necessitate great-

.> "K-r?asina United States' outlay to nablo the United States to maintain a nary equalling* Britain's. The Americans contend it is essential that the United States should have a navy equal to Britain's 'because the Leatrue of Nat.ionsi must be strong enough if necessary to restrain its strongest member. The 'American view is that any reduction of the United States' naval strength would weaken the United States' influence in world affairs, and limit her ability to render service to the League of Nations. It is also asserted that the submarines of all nations must be destroyed. _ The memorandum adds that high British officers have justified Germanv'a Üboat warfare on the grounds of military necessity.—Aus.-N.Z- Cable Assn. DISTRIBUTION OF THE NAVY. TAKING TO HEART THE RECENT LESSONS. Received March SO, 11.30 p.m London, Marsh 2(1. After the war the distribution of the Navy will be as follows: The Home Fleet and seven squadrons stationed in the Atlantic, West Atlantic, China, South Africa, South America, East Indies, and the Mediterranean.

Admiral Beatty, replying to the presentation of the freedom of Liverpool, said the Navy had learned many lessons during the war. "A\e must see that those lessons are taken to heart, so that we shall not again have to We a great crisis with improvised jnethods. Such economics as retrenchment requires must be applied wisely with a proper understanding of the future problems m the light of the experience gained, ift tUe _war»"—Aua.