BRITISH NAVY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 444, 1 March 1909, Page 7

BRITISH NAVY.

THE DREADNOUGHTS. ATTITUDE OF THE LIBERAL PARTY. "SAVED FROM SPEEDY DISRUPTION." DEMAND FOR ECONOMY. (bt telegram—press association—coFiaiaUT.l (Rec. February 2S, 4.15 p.m.) London, February 27. Sir Edward Evans, presiding at a meeting of tho General Committee of tho National Liberal Federation, said they heard much about increases of armaments, but the Government would havo to show good cause before tho Liberals assented to the increases. Tho Government's policy of peace throughout tho world was tho strongest possible. Ho went on to say that if the Conservatives camo to power now tnero would bo a frightful catastroplio hardly exceeded by tho Messina earthquake. After tho rejection of' an amendment from Scarborough against a policy of unnecessary shipbuilding, a resolution by tho executive committees was unanimously adopted reaffirming the principles of economy in naval and military expenditure. To this was added tho following:— - commltteo cannot recognise on the Jence at present beforo tho countrj .at a case has been established for the suggested increase of naval expenditure." Commenting upon the addition to tho resolution, the "Daily News" writes:— "This refers to the demand for six Dreadnoughts in ISC9, and. probably six more in 1910. Tho federation's resolution, as we have reason to believe, has not only saved tho Government from speedy disruption, but maintained tho great ideal of Liberalism." The "Times," referring to tho firmness shown by Mr. Asquith in dealing with a deputation from tho Trades Union Congress, says: "We hope that tho same attitude will unflinchingly be maintained in the probable event of an cpon struggle In the party over the Naval Estimates." INDOMITABLES AND DREABNOUCHTS.

RADICAL OPPOSITION. \ A NAVAL LOAN HINTED AT. London, February 26. The "Times" says it is understood that two improved Indomitubles, under tho Estimates of 1909-1910, will be laid down on tho Cl.yd" forthwith, and that their construction will be expedited. There are persistent Radical activities throughout the country against the Government's reported decision to build six Dreadnoughts. Tlio "Chronicle" and "Daily News" claim that Cabinet is unlikely to exceed four, reserving power to extend tho programme. The "Chroniclo" hints at tlio floating'of a naval loan. THE CERMAN NAVY. " 'SHIPBUILDING ACTIVITY. London, February 26. Thorp are persistent reports to tho effcct that Germany's naval shipbuilding is in advance of her programme, and that tho work of building is being further expedited. WHY GREAT BRITAIN MUST BUILD MORE SHIPS. The nation has a promise made by Mr. Asqui tli in March of last year, and since repeated, that the two-Power standard shall bo maintained (says the "Daily Mail" Overseas Edition of January 16). That standard ho has himself expressly stated means in capital ships, by which battleships of modern design and armoured, cruisers of the Invincible pattern are understood, that England shall have a forco equal to that of the next two strongest Powers plus a margin for emergencies of ten per cent. This is a lower margin 'than was provided in tho not distant past, when the preponderance was fixed, in accordance with tho report of the threo admirals in 18SS, at 25 per cent, in battleships, but in view of the improved foroign relations of this country it will serve. Still, we ought not to forget that it is the minimum figure. Position, of the Great Navies. To ascertain the programme required for the British Navy in 1909 it will be necessary to examino tho actual position of the great navies in ships built, building, or ordered at the oponing of tho year. Taking battleships first, these fall into classes according to their age, as the efficiency of a ship depends very largely upon its modernity of design: (1) Dreadnoughts and Invineibles, which have tho highest value; (2) modern ships of tho pre-Drcadnought era not more than ten years old from the date of laying down; (3) older ships of tlio preDrcadnought era laid down fifteen years; and (i) ships on tho evo of obsolescence, laid down from fifteen to twenty years, with onlv a very limited life or value. Tho position is, then, as follows Ten Fifteen Twenty

Two Gorman Dreadnoughts belonging to the 1909 programme, which wero ordered in October last year, are included. From thia tablo it is clear, that the next two strongest Powers arq Germany, and tho United States, and that' to maintain tho two-Power standard plus 10 per cent, superiority in Dreadnoughts a British programmo of six is required. Further, if any tendency should be shown by foreign Powers to accelerate tho speed of construction, additional British shius will be needed, as over and abovo the vessels figuring in tho table Germany will lay down two Dreadnoughts in 1908 and tho United States certainly two, and possibly four.. Expenditure. Tho strenuous nature of the contest for naval supremacy which has been forced upon us can be understood from tho following table, which shows in millions of pounds sterling the expenditure of Britain and Germany upon their navies, deducting non-cfTective votes, and the outlay of tho two Powers upon naval construction and armaments, tho item which determines tho futuro. material forco of e fleet:— Outlay on new construcTotal'expenditure. armament. Britain. Germany. Britain. Qermany.

Germany betwoon 1905 and 1909 much more than doubled hor outlay on naval construction, and in the present year is spending more than Britain voted in 1907 or 190 S. - An addition of at least six millions to tho British expenditure on now construction for 1908 is required for safety in tho light of these figures, and even that will barely suffice to maintain tho twoPower standard.

„ ,,, Dread- years years years Battleships, noughts. Old. Old. Old. Britain ... 12 21 IS 12 Germany ... 11 15 4 5 United States ... 4 18 5 4 Franco ... 6 7 3 G Japan ... 8 4 G 1

£ .£ £ i J low ... 3(1.0 IU 12.5 4 8 1906 ... 29.i 12.1 121 si 1907 ... 27.9 13.9 10.5 (S7 190S '... 28.7 • 1C.9 / 8.G 8 5 1909 ... - 20.2 - no 1910 ... — 22.0 — jo g