ARMY AND NAVY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 137, 4 March 1908, Page 7

ARMY AND NAVY.

PROPOSED REDUCTIONS. DEBATE IN HOUSE/OF COMMONS. TIIE TWO POWER STANDARD. \ IMPORTANT STATEMENTS BY , MINISTERS. BY TELEOJUriI—rRESS ASSOCIATION— COFTRIGIIT. (Rec. March 3, 9.32 p.m.) London, March 3. In tho House of Commons Mr. J. A. Murray Macdonalcl (Liberal) moved tlio following motion: — That owing to the continued friendly relations between Britain and the foreign Powers, a further reduction Is possible In tho Army and Navy, the motion especially urging that it is unnecessary to adhere to the two-Power standard with a margin. Mr. Asquith moved as an amendment:— That the declaration referring ,to further reductions be deleted, substi- .' tutlng words inviting the House to support the Government in such naval, and military expenditure as is consistent with the adequate defence of His Majesty's Dominions. I LARGE REDUCTIONS. I Mr. Asquith declared that tho Government had already made very large reductions, and indicated further economies in defensive expenditure. Ho admitted that tho reductions were less largo than ho had hoped to'make.. A combination of Powers, which used to. agitato tho minds of statesmen, had now become 'in tho highest degree improbablo. Even in regard to Germany an advanco had boen mado towards a complete mutual understanding. It was unnecessary -to view with suspicion or apprehension any naval expansion of 'Germany, which was simply corresponding to tho-economic and defensivo needs of.au expanding:country. UNASSAILABLE SUPREMACY. . Mr. Asquith went' on to say:— Britain wished to proventj a new,spurt ,In shipbuilding among tho , Powers. Britain's present position was one of unassailable supremacy,' and they must . maintain a standard of completo and absolute command of the sea against any . reasonably possible, . combination ; of Powers. i • ; . Mr. Asquith added that Mr. Haldano had already reduced the; Army by 21,700 men without impairing\ itsefficiency. >Mr. Robertson(Secretary of tho Admiralty): .declared that tho Admiralty : believed the provision ■ mado in this year's Estimates • fully -maintained the two-Power standard.'.. .' ' . SUGGESTION BY MR. BALFOUR. Mr. Balfcur said Unionists would voto against tho briginal resolution, but suggested the insertion' in Mr. Asquith'a amendment of words making it clear that the two-Power standard would-bo continued; ; Mr. Haldano pronouncod Mr. Balfour's suggestion as \irrelcvant, and 1 refused : to accept it: Nobody disputed the need. for. maintaining tho t\vo-Po.wer deed, Mr. Asquith oxpressly. 'aflirmed it. Referring to tho Army, Mr. Haldano said* it • was impossible to lay down any fiked rigicl standard of strength.,' Tho Government' must bo tho judge of'tho nationls needs; : Mr. Macdonald's motion' was rejected by 320 to 73. EXCITING SCENE. Mr. Balfour roso to move 'an amendment, but was met with loud Ministerial cries of " Object 1" the Unionists replying witlv, decisive shouts. " ;, i ' There was ' much excitement, and ultimately tho debato was adjourned. •• ; The Prince arid Princessi of. Wales heard the debate. ' . "The Times" says Mr. Balfour merely sought to remove a possible ambiguity in Mr. Asquith's statement. If there was no ambiguity 1 tho amendment was harmless;■: if there was ambiguity it . was his intention to make tho amendment absolutely clear. . ; 1