THE NAVAL CRISIS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3143, 22 March 1909, Page 5

THE NAVAL CRISIS.

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association—Bv Electric Telegraph Copyright,

ADMINISTRATION OP THE ADMIRALTY. SUGGESTED ENQUIRY. LONDON, March 19. A number of Peers and Commoners have signed a requisition asking Mr Asquith, Prime Minister, to bold an enquiry regarding the administration of the Admiralty. Meetings have been organising in the city and in Liverpool in connection with the naval crisis. MOST SERIOUS SITUATION. MELBOURNE, March 20. The Minister for Defence (Mr Pearce), referiing to the naval situation, says it is the most serious British statesmen have had to face during the last century. GERMANY BUSY. A NAVAL EXPERT'S VIEWS. Received March 21, 4.30 p.m. BERLIN, March 20.

The papers publish details of how night and day works are being extended at Wilhelmsbafen, the chief naval port of Germany, and declare that within a few months it L will supersede Kiel in regard to naval shipbuilding. All Dreadnoughts and Invincibles under construction will be stationed at Wilhelmshafen.

Count Reventlow. a naval expert, states that Mr Asquith, British Prime Minister, is in error regarding Germany's assurance that she would not accelerate her naval construction. Count Reventlow boasts that Germany's shipbuilding is capable of more rapid progress. Prince Bulow, German Chancellor, and Herr von Schon, German Foreign Secretary, refused to attend a meeting of the Budget Committee, members of which demanded an explanation of the deecrepancies between Admiral Tirpitz's and Hon. R. McKenna's statements regarding Germany's rate of construction.

GRAVITY OF THE NAVAL DISCLOSURES.

CANADIAN AND CAPE COLONY NEWSPAPERS IMPRESSED.

Received March 21, 4.30 p.m. LONDON, March 20.

Canadian and Cape Colony newspapers are impressed with the gravity of the naval disclosures.

"A NAVAL FOOL'S PARADISE."

Received March 21, 4.30 p.m. LONDON, March 20.

The newspaper "Spectator,'dealing with the naval estimates, declares that England has been living in a naval fool's paradise. Many newspapers suggest that Britain should purchase Brazil's three Dreadnoughts which are now being completed at Elswick and Barrow. Naval experts assert that the present is an exceptionally oportune time for huying new ships and material cheap, in view of the unemployment. Several great firms would be glad to keep their plant running and their workmen together for the smallest margin of profit.

A SUGGESTION.

PRESENT OF A DREADNOUGHT FROM AUSTRALASIA.

Received March 21, 4 p.m.

MELBOURNE, March 21

The newspapers welcome the suggestion that Australasia should present the Imperial Government with a Dreadnought.

Mr Fisher states that the Federal Government quite appreciate the idea, though he does not desire to express an opinion upon it. He added: "All the resources of the Commonwealth would be at the disposal of the Imperial authorities in case of difficulty with ?ny power."

EViDENCE OF SOLIDARITY OF THE BRITISH RACE.

COMMENT BY "THE TIMES."

Received March 21, 4.35 p.m. LONDON, March 20

"The Times" says that the suggestion of the Melbourne papers that Australasia should present a Dreadnought to the Imperial Government would be welcome in the spirit prompting it. Such an action was evidence of the cjlid?rity of the British race. "Although England must be prepared to maintain her supremacy in the North Sea alone," says "The Times," "we count upon our Dominion taking a share in the necessities growing in almost every sea." MINISTERIAL SPEECHES. Received March 21, 4.3U p.m. LONDON, March 20. Many Ministerialist speeches have been delivered in the provinces on the naval crisis.

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The Hon. Walter Runciman, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, in a speech, declared that it would be folly to build many years ahead. He regretted the construction of the first Dreadnought. the Hon. A. W. C. OliphantMurray, M.P., the Master of Elibank, and Junior Liberal Whip, said that the first Dreadnought had led to wild competition, and the Conservatives must bear the blame. Nevertheless, the Liberals w.re determined to maintain the superiority of the navy at all costs. Mr C. P. Trevelan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education, said that the country was on the verge of panic, stimulated by exaggeration.

Colonel Seely, Under-Secretary for the Colonies, pointed out if the Dreadnought type of vessel wa» beaten Britain would still have other war vessels.

A MOTION OF CENSURE,

Received March 21, 4 p.m. LONDON, March 20,

In the House of Commons yesterday Mr A. J. Balfour gave notice of motion that he would move a motion of censure on the Government, on the ground that the immediate provision of the battleships of the newest type proposed by the Government was insufficient to secure the safety of the Empire. The Cabinet held a meeting last night lasting two and a-half hours, and considered the developments in with the naval situation.

Several newspapers regret Mr Balfour's motion, and consider that i t will drag the question into political strife, but the course adopted is deemed inevitable.

Admiral C. C. Penrose-Fitzgerald angrily demands what tha Naval Intelligence Department had been doing to be unaware of Germany's spurt till months later. Admiral Kennedy advocates the building of two vessels to every one built by Germany. If Britain spent fifty millions sterling it would be a flea-bite compared with an invasion. Many political meetings held in the provinces demand the immediate construction of Dreadnoughts only if Germany accelerates her building.