NAVAL DISCLOSURES.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 69, 22 March 1909, Page 5

NAVAL DISCLOSURES.

INTENSE EXCITEMENT. A GRAVE SITUATION. MOTION OF CENSURE. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) LONDON, March 20. There is tremendous excitement throughout the country in connection with the recent naval disclosures, and meetings are being held in London, Liverpool and other centres to discuss the situation. In the House of Commons yesterday Mr Balfour (Leader of the Opposition) gave notice of a motion of censure on the ground that the immediate provision of battleships of the newest type, proposed by the Government was insufficient to secure the safety of the Empire. Cabinet held a meeting last night, lasting 2i hours, and considered the developments in connection with the naval situation. Several newspapers regret Mr Balfour's motion, as they consider it will drag the question into political strife, but the course is deemed inevitable. Admiral C. C. Penrose Fitzgerald (who was second in command of the China station in 1898-9) angrily asks what the Naval Intelligence Department has been doing to be unaware of Germany's spurt till months after it had been made. Admiral Sir W. R. Kennedy advocates the building of two vessels to every one built by Germany. "If we spend 50 millions," he saj's, "it will be a fleabite compared with an invasion." Many political meetings in the provinces demand the immediate construction of Dreadnoughts if Germany accelerates her building. The "Spectator" declares that England has been living in a naval fool's paradise. Many of the newspapers suggest that Britain should purchase the three Dreadnoughts now being completed at Elswick and Barrow for Brazil. Naval experts assert that the present is an unexceptionally opportune time for laying new ships. Material is cheap, and in view of unemployment several of the great firms would be glad to keep their plant running, and their workmen together, for the smallest margin of profit. Canadian and Cape Colony newspapers are impressed with the gravity of the naval disclosures.

Berlin papers publish" details of the night and day works for the extension of Wilhelmshafen, and declare that within a few months it will supersede Kiel. All war vessels of the Dreadnought and Invincible type under construction are stationed at Wilhelmahafen. Count Eeventlow, the naval expert, states that Mr Asquith is in error regarding Germany's assurance that she will not accelerate construction. He boasts that Germany's shipbuilding is capable of more rapid progress. Prince yon Buelow (the Imperial Chancellor) and Herr yon Schoen (German Minister for Foreign Affairs) refused to attend a meeting of the Budget Committee, members demanding an explanation of the discrepancies between the statements of Admiral yon Tirpitz (Secretary of the German Admiralty) and Air McKenna (First Lord of tne British Admiralty) _ regarding Germany's rate of construction. LONDON March 20. Many Ministerialist speeches are being delivered in the provinces in connection with the situation. Mr. Walter Runeiman (President of the Board of Education) declared that it would be folly to build many years ahead. He regretted the construction of the first Dreadnought. The Master of Elibank said the first Dreadnought had led to wild competition, and the Conservatives must bear the blame. Nevertheless the Liberals were determined to maintain the superiority of the navy at all costs. Mr. C. P. Trevelyan (Under-Secretary for the Board of Education) declared that the country was on the verge of panic, stimulated by exaggeration. Colonel Seely (Under-Secretary for the Colonies) pointed out that if the Dreadnought was beaten we would still have other war vessels. The "Times" says that the suggestion of the Melbourne papers that Australia should present a Dreadnought to the Imperial Government ought to be welcomed in the spirit prompting it as it evidenced the solidarity of the British race. "Although England must be prepared to maintain supremacy in the North Sea alone," it adds, "we count upon our dominions taking a share in the necessities growing in almost every sea." A MYSTERIOUS CRUISER. (Received 8.50 a.m.) BERLIN, Marcli 21. The warship Yon der Tann, described as a cruiser, has been launched at Hamburg witli great secrecy. Her tonnage is 10,000, and she is fitted with turbine engines. The crew numbers 800.