THE NAVAL CRISIS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3146, 25 March 1909, Page 5

THE NAVAL CRISIS.

BRITAIN AND HER NAVY, NOTHING IN THE NATURE OF A PANIC. Received March 24, 8.15 a.m. LONDON. March 23. Unionist newspapers applaud the patriotic spirit prompting the Aus • tralasian offers, and argue that the general feeling is: "We ought not to need them, and that if we have failed in our duty, this is not an occasion whereon we ought to ask the colonies to come to help us out." The papers indignantly deny that there is anything in the nature of a panic, but simply a steady determination not to be outstripped in a vital competition. The "Morning Post" declares: "Australasia's splendid example will - have a far-reaching effect in quickening the spirit and hardening the Motherland in her resolution to unflinchingly face the task before her.' NEW ZEALAND'S OFFER. LONDON, March 23. The cable'message from Lcrd Plun3t3t containing New Zealand's offer of a Dreadnought was immediately conveyed to the King, Mr Asquith, and the Admiralty. PROMINENT CANADIANS STIRRED. L.ONDON, March 23. Prominent Canadians, stirred by Australasia's lead, are raising the question of offering a Dreadnought to Britain. STATEMENT BY GERMAN FOREIGN SECRETARY. FRIENDLY RELATIONS DESIRED WITH BRITAIN. "SINCERE WISH OF THE WHOLE GERMAN PEOPLE." j Receked March 24, 9.40 p.m. BERLIN, March 24. , Her von Schoen, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, addressing the Budget Committee in tho Reichstag, Ail behalf of Prince von Bulow, said that the British Government had intimate*! to Germany in a general way her readiness to come to an understanding with regard to the extent and cost of their respective naval programmes, but no formal proposal had been made'. Nothing had been put forward which would form the | basis of negotiations. In the intercourse of friendly Government* 'it I ( was customary to avoid pre3en ting ' £jrm*l proposals,' the consideration Whereof appeared doubtful. For that rjason probably Britain avoided addressing a formal proposal to Germany. Therefore Germany was not called upon to take up a position towards such proposal. Prince von Bulow had set forth the grounds for Germany's attitude respecting the -"limitation of armaments in the Reichstag on December 10th last. I Herr von Schoen added: "Germany's Fleet will be measured by her needs, and implied no threat to other nations." Herr von Schoen heartily [concurred in the confident hope expressed by the entire Committee that the relations between Britain and Germany would develop further in tU direction of friendship, which he remarked was the sincere wish of the whole German people. Tha Government Committee has voted the final instalments nf the payments for warships, which will be completed in 1909, and the first instalments for three Dreadnoughts, whereof it is officially stated two have already been laid down, an armoured cruder of the Invincible "type, and two small cruisers. The Conservative newspaper "Kreuz Zeitung,"'states that the tenders for two other warships under the 19091910 programtne will not be invited until the autumn, thus the time L gained on the other two ships will be compensated for, and there will be no acceleration in the development of the Fleet beyond the times set down in the programme.

"PLUCKY LITTLE NEW ZELAND." THE FIRST REMINDER. MORE BRITONS THAN THOSE AT HOME. Received March 24, 11.5 p.m. LONDON, March 2. The "Evening News" publishes a cablegram from Sir Joseph Ward explaining the offer of the Dreadnoughts. OTTAWA, March 24. The "Toronto Globe," in an article, compliments "Plucky little New Zealand" in uttering the first reminder that there are more Britons than those at Home. Canada ought not to leave New Zealand long aione in that respect. Within two years the colonies should be able and ought to place three Dreadnoughts at the Motherland's disposal. LETTERS FOR AND AGAINST. SYDNEY, March 24. The newspapers are overflowing with letters for and against the

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presentation of a Dreadnought. The bulk of them are fervently enthusiastic, also laudatory of New Zealand's example. The suggestions range from the gift of one battleship to a squadron. "AN UNSCRUPULOUS AGITATOR." WHAT HE WAS CLEVER ENOUGH TO DO. Received March 24, 9 a.m. LONDON, March 23. "The Times," after remanding that the censure debate was virtually anticipated in yesterday's debate on the naval vote, warns Mr Asquith that the "unscrupulous agitator" referred to in his speech was clever enough to rouse the city into indignation on the one hand, and en the other, to cause New Zealand to offer one, even two,'' Dreadnoughts, and to evoke striking demonstrations of a daily-recorded sense of partnership in Imperial responsibilities in all the self-governing dominion?. "The Times" adds:—"The country and the Empire, by extraordinary unanimity, judged his measures to be inadequate." In the House of Commons, during tb3 naval vote debate, Messrs Beauchamp and A. C. Beck (Liberals) urged the Government to include four conditional Dreadnoughts in the 1909-10 programme. Mr E. R. Ridsdale (Liberal) emphasised the grave anxiety existing throughout the length and breadth of the land, and said it was unfair to describe it as being manipulated. "It could," he said, "be allayed at a cost of four more Dreadnoughts. For Haaven's'sake why not lay them down!" (Opposition cheers).