LIMITING THE FLEETS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 34, 8 February 1913, Page 5

LIMITING THE FLEETS.

GERMANY READY

TO ACCEPT CHURCHILL'S OFFER.

60 PER CENT SUPERIORITY

IN BRITAIN'S FAVOUR,

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT.

(By Cable.—rress Association.—Copyrlglrt.)

(Received 10.50 a.m.)

BERLIN, February 7. The Budget Committee of the Reichsta-* has considered the Naval Estimates for mc year, They provide for an expenditure of £23,:?7O.OOO.

The Secretary of the Admiralty (Admiral yon Tirpitz) deprecated the contiiHi.il dragging of England into the debate.

Herr Japow, discussing the Naval estimates, emphasises Germany's <*ood relations with the Towers, particularly with England.

Admiral yon Tirpitz. referring to Mr ( nurehill's speech in the House of Commons last .March, declared that the proportion of 10 to 10 between British and German fleets would be acceptable for the next few years. His department would raise no objection to this course.

[Speaking in the House of Commons in introducing the Navy Kstiruates last year, .Mr Winston (J.ur.-hill, First J»rd of the Admiralty, said that Britain* present standard, compared with Germany's, was HO per cent superior in battleships' and Dreadnought cruisers. That would suffice for five years if Germany did not alter her plan.- If Germany increased her construct in.i programme. Britain woiilil it upon a higher ratio of superiority. l\r wished to make it clear that any retardations or reductions in the German programme would meet with Britain's prompt response.] Mr Churchill continued: "Contingent on the absence of dangers elsewhere, supposing both Britain and Germany took a years holiday. Three ficrnian ships would not be built. Germany would save nearly seven millions, and would automatically wipe out five potentional British Dreadnoughts. Germany would be no gainer by an increase nor a loser by reduction on the. basis he had laid down. It afforded a plan whereby, without diplomatic negotiations, bargaining, or restriction of freedom, keen and costly rivalry could be evaded. Britain stood on the defensive. A surprise attack by Britain on Germany or anyone else was inconceivable. Apart from the moral aspect, Britain had no means of following up an attack, even if it were successful. A naval defeat would mran more to Britain tlian to Germany or France, because the people of Britain were fed from the sea. Hence the necessity of British naval supremacy, which was not a matter of trade and commerce, but of her very freedom. Sim must so conduct her affairs that no single navy would have a reasonable prospect of success against her."

Tlie speech was eagerly discussed in Germany, where the Pros.* comments on the proposal wort- generally unfavourable. Admiral Tirpitz's speech is the first official cognisance of Mr Churchill's olive branch.