GERMAN COMMENT.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13377, 19 March 1909, Page 7

GERMAN COMMENT.

AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT. BERLIN, March 18. Tho naval debate has aroused great interest in Germany. Tho Press is sparing in its comment, but the " Neuesten Nachrichten," organ of the Navy League, is incensed at Germany informing Great Britain that she does not intend to hasten her rato of construction, • and characterises the supplying of this information as regrettable weakness.

Admiral yon Tirpitz, Minister of Marine, speaking in tho Reichstag, stated that in tho autumn of 1912 Germany would have only 13 ships of the Dreadnought and Invincible types. He did not know on what grounds Mr McKonna had arrived at the larger figure. No proposal for disarmament had been made to Germany.

In reference to the "Pall Mall Gazette's " remark about tho Austrian Navy, it is interesting to note that Sir William White, late Chief Constructor to the British Admiralty, says that if the programme now contemplated by the Austrian Government is carried out, Austria will bo brought into tho first class of naval Powers. " The development of the Austrian Navy during the last few years, and the increased expenditure on pew construction, are proportionately greater than the corresponding movement in any other cou/itry, except Germany; and it is a significant fact that these two Powers are closely allied. There is good reason for the anticipation that the Austrian programme will be carried out energetically, notwithstanding its great cost. Other Powers besides Italy having interests in the Mediterranean are not likely to remain unaffected. Another chapter seems to be opening in that rivalry in nnval construction and armaments which has rnged incessantly during tho last half-century, and has involved enormous expenditure. Sir Willinn. considers that tho Austrian fleet stands now at the head of the minor navies. The officers nre hichly educated nnd efficient, nnd everything that would be necessary for a first-class navy is done on a smaller scalo.