GERMAN AMBITIONS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7830, 24 June 1909, Page 4

GERMAN AMBITIONS.

WHAT DOES HER NAVAL ENTERPRISE MEAN,

An important article by Captain Mahan, entitled " Germany's Naval Ambitions," appears m Collier's Weekly for April 24. Germany, Captain Mahan says, has stolen a march on Great Britain m two respects: She has advanced towards the fulfilment of a programme which contemplates a navy stronger than the present British. . . And further she has created, unseen, facilities which enable her to maintain this gain, for she can now g° on building as rapidly as her supposed rival. Captain Mahan, however, does not hold that the situation as regards Great Britain, embarrassing though it is as "immediately menacing as pessimists assert"; but he believes, none the less, that '' an extraordinary situation has been created, and that henceforth, if Germany so will and can find the money, the two-Power standard of the British Fleet, accepted by Liberals as well as Conseryatiyes, pannot be maintained." These new conditions, according to Captain Mahan, are a matter of very grave concern to the United States. It is surely incumbent! upon us to recognise that there i§ now visible m the near future a foreign fleet decisively superior to our own. . . . Great Britain will also have such a fleet and superior; but a Jong history of international contention, together with the exposure of Canada, not to speak of kindlier relations and present memory of good offices done us, make us sure as anything future can be that Great Britain can have no wish to contravene our historic policy known as the Monroe Doctrine. . . Germany has also been scrupulously m accord with I our position; and for that reason no one has a right to suggest any purpose to the contrary for the future. But . . are we willing now to leave a permanent element of national policy dependent upon the uncertain indulgence of a foreign State, which is notoriously thirsting for colonisation m the supposed interests of racial development? Few persons realise what the appearance of such a navy as that which Germany is building means m international affairs. The question, indeed, is not what she intends; like other Governments, she may, to some extent, live from hand to mouth, though probably not so much as others. The question is, "What will she be able to do with such a force? That is her meaning; the ex> pediency of an unknown future, as yet contingent and impossible to foresee. But though contingencies are beyond our ken, it is perfectly knowable, and absolutely sure, that, should they be unfavourable, she, with a decisively superior Navy, will have the whip-hand. Is there any thoughtful man who does not see that the great international questions of this present day are shaping far outside of the narrow seas, although it is quite possible that they, may be decided there? Europe is full, and overflows.