THE BRITISH AND GERMAN NAVIES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12630, 18 October 1905, Page 4

THE BRITISH AND GERMAN NAVIES

Thk " Fortnightly Review " devotes nc« fewer than three articles to the external policy of Germany. To one of these we have already called attention in our leading columns, and of the other two* the more interesting to English readers. is that which dismisses the naval policy of Groat Britain, and the aspirations of her German rival, beoatise in it the: writer, Mr 0. S. Hurd, presents us with the clea/rest view of the formerwe have hitherto met with; while revealing the strength of the MotherCountry's first line of defence, the comparative weakness of the naval forces: of Germany, and the complete discomfiture of all iher plans for outwitting; the Mother Country. The North Sea fleet of the latter, it is pointed out, is; actually more than equal to the fighting porreir to the whole of the German - active fleet. " With the disappearance of the Russian fleet, and the 'entente cordialo' with Francs, the British flee-t dominates the world in a manner and" to an extent unparalleled :n the past hundred years, and it is realised in theWilhelmstrasse that the naval positionof Germany for the present is well nighhopelcss." And all this ia the result of a definite policy, wisely framed and rapidly carried out by the First Lord ot the Admiralty; the celerity with which? it has .been'carried into effect havingbeen such that " the fighting weight and efficiency of the British navy hasbeen mom than doubled in the present year." This comes of having a seamanof the first order at the head of the-. Admiralty, instead of a " Sir Joseph Porter, X.C.8." A year ago there .wereonly 28 battleships and 10 armoured cruisers in the " near seas." To-day there are 43 of the first and 20 .of tliesecond. These are under the orders of* Admiral Sir Arthur Wil&on, who is described as "a born strategist ftnd! tactician, and an officer who: has devoted himself with absolute singleness? -..'• of purpose to the country's service." lit fact, if we may accept Mr Hurd's state*-' i' ments, our countrymen at home Jfiajr ' • now " sleep' on both oars," as the », , French say, resting in perfect seeurifcy.uppn the/adequacy, of .her n3val""defonCetf^without any;-sacrifie of the fighting strength of the navy on fore-igiv stations. ,-\~ ..■.:.■.■■■.■ >-■■. ~,-:, - •