THE NAVY DEBATE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3142, 20 March 1909, Page 5

THE NAVY DEBATE.

PRESS COMMENT.

ADMIRAL TIKPITZ'S DENIAL,

Received March 19, 8.45 a.m,

LONDON, March 18

The "Daily News" and "Manchester Guardian" declare that Admiral Tirpitz's denial disposes of all conjectures whereon the navy debate was based, though Mr Frederick Harrison, leader of the Positfrjsts, who has opposed all forms of militarism, warmly supports, in "The Times," the idea of every possible precaution against Germany being taken on sea and land.

AT WOOLWICH. NO PLANT FOR MAKING GUN MOUNTINGS.

Received March 19, 9 a.m

LONDON, March 18,

In the Housa of Commons, Mr McXenna, replying to a question, admitted that there was no plant for making gun-mountings at Woolwich. Britain, he said, had seventeen shipbuilding slips, and two others capable vi adaptation for warship purposes.

SERIOUS VIEW OF SIIUATION,

• ITS BEARING ON AUSTRALIA

Received March 19, 10.40 a.m

SYDNEY, March 19

Public men take a serious view of the naval situation—as disclosed by Mr McKenna's statement—and its bearing on Australia. Mr Fisher, Federal Prime Minister, states that at the Premiers' Conference he drew attention to the present slate of. European politics, and pDinted out that danger of invasiun mightfdeciand that the whole of the resources of the country should be used.

The "Daily Telegraph" suggests that in the event of the tension over the naval situation becoming sharper, if Australia and Canada, as leaders amongst the colonial countries, each offered the Admiralty the cost of a Dreadnought, what a significant intimation it would be to the nations that these comparatively rich young dominions would be quick to reinforce the Motherland for any emergency. The cost would be relatively small, and the force of example tremendous. Tne "Herald," recognising the significance of the position in Australia, says:-"While we can be grateful that the Mother Country is facing the facta with traditional

courage, we must, in decency, sing small until we an feel we are doing our fair share towards keeping the national home together." LORD ROSEBERY'S VIEWS. | NATION WILL RISE TO THE i OCCASION. Received March 19, 11.20 a.m. « " LONDON, March 18. Lord Roaebery, ir. a letter to "The Times," declares that while the naval announcement is a most critical one, the navy in a ssnse is secure, because the nation will vote all that is possible directly it realises that its naval predominance is threatened. "But,V he adds, "the imperviousness of invasion being relegated tb # the region of doubt raises the problem whether the Territorials are sufficient for Home defence."

Speaking in the Reichstag yesterday, Admiral Von Tirpitz, Minister for Marine, stated that in the autumn of 1912 Germany would have only thirteen Dreadnoughts and Invincibles. He did not know on what grounds Mr McKenna had arrived at the larger figures (seventeen). No proposal for disarmament had been made to Germany. CONTINUATION OF DEBATE. [Received March 19, 9.35 p.m. ; LONDON, March 19. 1 <

In the House of Commons, Mr Austen Chamberlain continued the naval debate. Ministers, he said, had been living in a 'fool's paradise a year ago. The House had no security that their judgment was better now, and in any case the margin was dangerously narrow. They had been forgetful of such a contingency as a shipbuildinglstrike.

Mr A. Bonar Law, Conservative M.P. forDulwich, insisted that it was essential for the Government to lay down the Dreadnoughts [promised for April immediately. Hon. R. McKenna (First Lord of the Admiralty) said that the coming battleships would be 30 per cent, better than the Dreadnoughts. Mr A. J. Balfour, noticing that Mr McKenna avoided a direct promise that four Dreadnoughts would be laid down in April, taxed Mr Asquith, who promised this if the acceleration of the German programme continued.^

The Opposition strongly object to a qualified promise.

Mr Asquith, evidently referring to Admiral Tirpitz,, said:-"Certain declarations filled me with surprise. J!* 8 !*? f«!|w explanation."