LORD ESHER'S REPLY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 231, 23 June 1908, Page 8

LORD ESHER'S REPLY.

MORE BATTLESHIPS.

The Germans are a proud peoule struggling for commercial development and determined to achievo their purpose. Like other commercial rivalry, tho rivalry of nations requires- a victim. They look to themselves, and we havo to look to; ourselves." So writes Lord Esher in an article in tho May number of. the "National Review"— an. article which gains infinitely in significance when it is. remembered that Lord Esher s opinion's on. naval subjects formed tlio text, of the Kaiser's; famous letter toLora. Iweedmouth. There can bo little doubt that -this trenchant article is Lord Esher's ■ rejoinder to the controversy that arose'around tho cryptic, document of tho German Emperor. Lord Esher writes: "The centre of gravity <jf maritime power has shifted from tho Mediterranean to the North Sea. So,rapid has been the acquisition of. naval strength by Germany, and so formidable are her fleets 1 in. being and in preparation, that she has forced upon England a conccutrntion which has thrown the control of tho Pacific into other hands.

Concurrently with this development of sea power, Germany has. shown a- determination to compete with Great Britain for tho carrying trade of the world: Tho trade routes of tjio world are covered with German shipping, and into every nook and corner of the civiliscd and half-civilised world Gorman goods rapidly and surely are pushing their way: " To check the rapidly-expanding power of Germany, wo must• retain command of tho sea," argues Lord Esher.

" That the defence of those islands and the maintenance of our Imperial position require a fleet of preponderating strength is a proposition which for more than twenty years seems' to linvo been realised by the nation, but what the people of this country never appear to grasp is that national policy andnational armament must keep in tune. • • _ " If we take advantage of our insular position, of our vast maritime seaboard, of our splendid maritime population, and of the incomparable uses which could be niacin of Greater Britain over-sea, the position of England is commercially secure, and wo neetl have no.fe.ir of Germany. A .

"If, then," continues' Lord Eshcr, "it is recognised that of the European seas is an inflexible condition of our national security, how is this command to., be maintained?" The answer is simple, direct and freo from all technicalities. ." For every' shipwhich our great rival builds,' build two of equal strength." .' . !

" Let Germany force the pace," advises the writer, "but let Britain win the raco."