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Taranaki Daily News, 18 March 1921, Page 5

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BRITAIN AND AMERICA. NO CONTROVERSY INVOLVED. “THINK TO PREVENT WAR.” By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received March 17, 10.55 p.m. London, March 17. Lc'd Lee (First Lord of the Admiralty), in a speech at a naval architects’ dinner, said that America’s claim to maintain a navy equal to the British Navy was one which Britain had never expected in the past and would not expect save from a great nation sprung from British loins, which must always hold a great place in our regard and. confidence. Lord Lee said we had twice, in a most formal way, affirmed our expedients foi a one Power standard. The difference in the British and American formulae was too slight to become the subject of controversy, much less of friction. He disagreed with those saying the question should not be discussed because war with America was unthinkable. Wars would not become impossible, because people did not think about them. We should think day and night with a fixed intention of making war impossible. If war arose it would be the fault of blind or criminal states-manship.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. WARSHIPS READY. HOW NATIONS ARE PREPARED. BRITAIN’S LARGEST FLEET. Received March 17, 8.50 p.m. London, March 16. Sir James Craig, in the House of Commons, stated that the number of battleships maintained at full commission was:— Britain ....... • 16 France ...... 5 United States ..... - • 16 Japan 12 The number of battle-cruisers was:— Britain 4 France w ..tw» nil United States .......nil Japan ww. . 6