GERMANY'S REPLY

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 465, 25 March 1909, Page 5

GERMANY'S REPLY

WORDS OF PEACE. BRITAIN'S LIMITATION OVERTURES. VOTES POR SHIPS. REPORTED SLACKENING OF SPEED. (IIY TliLliOHAl'll -JMtKSS ASSOCIATION—COFYHICIIT.) (Hoc. March' 24, 0.40 p.m.) Berlin, March 21. In the Reichstag, llorr Von Schoen, tlio Gorman Secretary for Foreign Affairs, addressing tlio Budget Coinmittco on behalf of tlio Chancellor (Princo liulow) said that tlio British Government had intimated in a general way its readiness to como to an understanding as to tlio extent of tlio cost of naval programmes, but no formal proposal bad been made, and nothing hud been put forward which would form the basis of negotiations. In tlio intercourse of friendly Governments, it was customary to avoid presenting formal proposals, tho consideration of which appeared to bo doubtful. For that reason, probably, Britain bad avoided addressing a formal proposal. Germany, therefore, was not called on to take up n position towards such a proposal. Tho grounds of Germany's attitude respecting limitation of armaments bad been set forth by Prince Bulow in tho Reichstag on December 10. Hcrr Von Schoen added that Germany's fleet would bo measured by her needs; this implied no threat to other nations. Ho heartily concurred in tlio confident hope expressed by tho entire Committee that the relations of Britain and Gormany would develop further in tho direction of friendship, which, ho remarked, was tho sincere wish of tlio whole of tlio Gorman people and tlio German Government. . Progress of the Programme. The Committoo voted the final instalments of money for tho warships (now building), which are to bo completed in 1909. As regards tho new construction programme for 1909 (three battleships of tho improved Dreadnought typo, one armoured cruiser of tho improved Invinciblo type, and two small cruisers, also destroyers), tho Committee voted tho first instalments of tho three Dreadnoughts, the Invincible, and the two small cruisers. It is officially stated that two of tho Dreadnoughts on tho 1909 programme are already laid down.

Tho "Kreuz-Zcitung" states that tenders for tho two other warships on tho 1909 programme (tho third Dreadnought and the Invincible) will not ho invited until the autumn. Tims tho timo gained on the construction of tho first two 1909 Dreadnoughts will bo compensated for, and thcro wilf bo no acceleration of the development of the fleet beyond tho times sot down in the programme.

[The _ four big ships that were to bo laid down in 1809 aro the Hireo improved Dreadnoughts —to replace the Fntjof, Ilildebrand, and Heimdnll —and tho improved Invincible known as tho armoured cruiser 11. According to tho "IvreuzKcitiiiisj," though an early start has been made with two of them, tenders for the other two will be deferred, so that tho four will not be completed beforo the time set down in tho programme, which is "(he end of 1911." But there aro soven Dreadnoughts ami two cruisers which were begun (as per programme) prior to 1909, and which are now in various stages of construction ■Concerning these ships, tho statement that final payments were voted for those "to bo completed in 1909," is interesting. According to tho programme, the Nassau and tho Westfalen. Germany's two pioneer Dreadnoughts (18,000, tons), were to be ready vfor service in tho autumn of 1909, and the third and fourth Dreadnoughts—tho Tlhcinland and the Poson—in tho spring of 1910. But the statement that tho improved Invincible, tho Yon der Tann, has been rushed forward six months in advance of official time, and the fact that tho Rheinland and tho l'oscn were both launched last year, leaves a doubt as to whether more than two of the German leviathans may not be completed in 1G09.]

WHAT PRINCE BULOW SAID. DIFFICULTIES OF DISARMAMENT. In his speech in tho Reichstag on December 10, Prince Bulow, after denying that Germany had ever been approached with disarmament proposals, explained that the German Government was agreed with other Powers in regarding tho reduction of. armaments as '' a desirable thing in itself," but had maintained an attitude of reserve, on the grounds of the impracticability of the project. "Something moro than a wish to reduce armaments is necessary," ho assorted, and added that the most difficult problem was to find a basis of reduction which would suit .nil tho interested Powers. "Although Germany's position in the middle of Europe, is strategically the most unfavourable in tho world," said the Chancellor, "tho strength of our Army and our financial burdons have determined us not to expand our N'avy beyond the limits already decided upon as necessary for and commensurate with our defensive requirements.

Hovj Can Interests be Measured? "We, the samo as other Powers, have regarded the international limitation of armaments as in arid for itself an extremely desirable thing. I do not desire, indeed, to reject forthwith and without examination every possibility of limitation, offhand. But the technical difficulties alono appear to mo sufficiently considerable. Then there is tho question' of standards, Whore are tho criteria which are to bo decisive in this mutter? How can the growth of interests and of economic ambitions 1)0 measured, and how can tho technical inventions of the future and their consequences bo reckoned with in advance? "Our armaments are dictated by the necessity of being able to protect ourselves on various fronts. I do not deny that the situation in Europe at Hie present moment is not n particularly comfortable one. Tho foreign situation may become worse in a moment, and our peace would be seriously threatened if our military armaments were reduced below (ho standard demanded by tho European situation. A Limit to bo Respected. "Finally the extent of our naval armaments is settled by law entirely from tho point of view of the defence of our coasts and the protection of our trade. On the one hand our geographical position, which for all lime makes our safety dependent upon tho strength of our Army, anil, on the other, the measuro of our economic and financial resources, so heavily burdened by the demands for (ho Army and a social policy far in advance of that of all other countries, makes it completely out of the question that we should overstep in naval construction- tlio limit prescribed." Non-Expansion of Programme. Commenting on Prince Bu'ow's statement of May 10, the "Daily Mail" says: An important statement was made by Prince llulow in the Reichstag yesterday to (he. effect that the German Navy will not be expanded beyond the limits already fixed by law. This does not mean that Germany will build no more ships, but Ihiil she does not intend (o expand her present programme of now construction which she adopteil early this year, and which is as follows:— Battle-Armoured Small Doships. Cruisers. Cruisers, si rovers. 1009 II 1 2 '12 mil) .1 1 2 12 nut :i i » 12 IM2 f 1 2 12 ini:i l i 2 12 mis 1 1 2 12 1!H'» 1 1 2 12 iniii i i 2 12 11)17 1 I 2 12 is n is ios With, ill addition, an unspecified number of submarines. The announcement thus can only affect Die remote future. Hut it is of interest as the first definite .statement bv a German Minister Mißßcstiiig a limit to tho expansion of the German lleot.

THE DEMAND FOR MORE SHIPS. i MEETING AT GUILDHALL. ■ (lkc. March 2-1, 11.55 p.m.) London, March 24. Tho Lord Mayor'(Sir Geo. Truscott) will preaido over a Navy meeting at the Guildhall on March 31, when speeches will be delivered by Mr. Balfour, Lord Roschery, Lord Rothschild, Lord Drassey, and Lord AvcImry. London, March 23. The Lord Mayor of Bristol declined to receive a Navy League deputation in favour of the calling of a meeting to support a strong naval policy, declaring that as a vote of censuro was being discussed in Parliament the question was now a political one. During the naval debate in tho House, of Commons, Messrs. Boauchamp and Beck (Liberate) urged the Government to amend the Navy Estimates by placing tho second quartet of Dreadnoughts (tho conditional squadron proposed in the Estimates, not to bo laid down till April, 1910), in the 1000-10 programme. Mr. E. It. Ridsdalo (Liberal) emphasised tho grave anxiety existing throughout tho length and breadth of the land, and said it was unfair to describe it as being manipulated. "It could," ho-said, "be allayed at •a cost of four more Dreadnoughts. For Heaven's sake, why not lay them down!'" (Opposition cheers.) [Tho position is that the Government's programme provides for the laying down of lour Dreadnoughts in 1909-10, but the second four— which constitute the answer to Germany's acceleration of building—are not to bo laid down till April, 1010; that is to say, not till the next financial year (1910-11). The Government is boingi urged to put the second quartet of Dreadnoughts into the 1909-10 programme, making eight Dreadnoughts in all to" be hud down in tho 1909-10 financial year. Such an alteration must, of emirw, have a tremendous effect on the 1909-10 Budget, and the problem of. tho present Liberal Government is—first and ltitt—finance. It the Government, yielding to pressure, ncccpts an eight-Dreadnought programme, it may be that a naval lean, already suggested, will become necessary. . This would upset-the'Government's calculations, for papers to hand by mail show that (hero had been a strenuous and apparently successful effort by the Cabinet to strike a compromise between it's little navy and big navy sections, without recourse to borrowing. Says one journal :—"Tho Government ndhero to the principle of meeting current charges from revenue—a principle for which they have made sacrifices, seeing that tho payment of loans" contracted under Hio Naval Defence Act has been included in their annual expenditure. These loans will bo extinguished in tho course of 12 months, and therefore do not affect the Budget of the next financial year." But in the next financial vear (1910-11) tho heavier cost in connection with'tho battleships begins, as construction proceeds towards completion, rind the machinery and armament havo to »o paid for.]

PRICE OF GERMAN ARMAMENTS. 1 THE KRTJPP MONOPOLY. Berlin, March 23. Admiral Tirpitz,' Secretary for the Navy, made, a speech in the Reichstag defending tho Krupp monopoly. Ho claimed that tho naval administration for seven years had secured a reduction of 30 per cent, hi the prices of armour plates.

CANADA'S ATTITUDE. A NEWSPAPER APPEAL FOR ACTION. London, March 24. Prominent Canadians, stirred by Australasia's lead, aro raising the question of offering a Dreadnought to'' Britain. (Rec. March 24, 11.5 p.m.) Ottawa, Marcii 24. Tho "Toronto Globo" compliments plucky little- New Zealand in uttering the first reminder that there- aro moro Britons than those at Home. Canada, tho "Globo" thiuks, ought not to leave- Now Zealand long alono in that respect. Within two years the colonics should bo ablo to place, and might to place, three Dreadnoughts at tho disposal of tho Motherland. Lcndon, March 24. Tho "Evening News" publishes a cablegram from Sir Joseph Ward explaining Now Zealand's offer of Dreadnoughts. [Canada does not contribute to tho British wavy. Tho policy of tho Canadian Navy Lcaguo is that Canada should have its own navy, and not contribute to the Empire's fleet There seems, however, to bo a considerable feeling in Canada that a local navy should bo under the control of tho British Admiralty in time of war. At present Canada has 2t vessels, ; eight of which fulfil fishery protection duties, three are used on the Great Lakes, two aro ice-breakers, four aro detailed for lighthouso duty, and the remainder nro used in the revenue and sun-eying services. It is proposed to extend this "fleet," and concerning tho schemes afoot, a correspondent writes to "Tho Times":—"At tho present moment there is a well-defined movement on foot for Canada tn take tho initial step in laying tho foundation of a 'navy' of her own, by constructing a number of fishery cruisers of semi-warship type. Every ono knows that of very necessity theso craft, constructed as they will be in Canadian yards and to plans not approved of by tho Admiralty, will bo but travesties nf flgtliing ships, though they will, of course, serve tho primary purpose for which they Rro built." 'L'ho "Montreal Star" remarks that "as Great Britain's weak point to-day is her Army, Canada should increase her Militia, and propare a really effective army corps which, if the. Motherland was threatened with invasion, might bo swiftly transported thither to man her sea coasts."]

THE DOMINIONS AND THE FLEET. NEW ZEALAND'S OFFER. London, March 23. Tho cable message from Lord Plunket containing New Zealand's offer of a Dreadnought was immediately convoyed to the, King, Mr. Asquith, and tho Admiralty. Will tlta Offer ho Accepted? Unionist nowspapers applaud tho patriotic spirit prompting tho Australasian offers, and arguo thnt the general feeling is: "Wo ought not to need them, and if wo have failed in our duty, this is not an occasion whereon wo ought to ask tho. colonies to come to help us out." Tho "Daily Mail" declares: "Wo shall gladly accept the precious gifts from tho oversea dominions, but must bo prepared ourselves to lay down eight Dreadnoughts, and continue tho process annually until our supremacy is indisputably established." Tho "Morning Post" declares: "Australasia's splendid example will have a farreaching effect in quickening tho spirit and hardening the Motherland in her resolution to unflinchingly faco the task before, her." The papers indignantly deny that there is anything in tho naturo of a panic, but simply n steady determination not to be outstripped in a vital competition. Tho Alleged Artificial Agitation. Tho "Star" commends Mr. Asquith for smashing an artificial naval agitation. "Tho Times," after remarking that the censure debato was virtually anticipated in yesterday's debato. on tho naval vote, warns Mr. Asquith that tho "unscrupulous agitator" referred to in his speech was clover enough to rouso the city into indignation on the one hand, and on the other, to eauso Now Zealand to offer one, even two, Dreadnoughts, and to evoke striking demonstrations of a daily-recorded sense of partnership in Imperial responsibilities in nil tho BoK-fiovcrnijij; dominions. "Tho Times"

adds; "Tho country and tho Empire, with extraordinary unanimity, judged his measures to bo inadequate."

Tho "Manchester Guardian" describes Mr. Balfour's censure, motion as a war policy, and as urging Britain to treat German professions as falsehoods.

"EACH IN ITS OWN QUARTER." "THE TIMES'S" VIEW OF COLONIES' DUTIES. (Rec. March 24, 11.55 p.m.)' London, March 21 "The Times" suggests that tho best use to which naval co-operation offered by the Dominions is applicable, is towards strength, cning tho defences of each in its own quar< tor of tho world. . * ( MR. FISHER CONFIDENT. Molbourno, March 24. Tho Federal I'rimo Minister, Mr. Fisher, is of opinion that tho public clamour for tho Federal Government to take action in tho matter of giving a : Dreadnought will bo over in a few days. It would, ho says, ho. a line, handsome thing to borrow money to malto tho gift, and allow posterity to pay off tho loan. Tho Federal Government havo to find money for Australia's own defence, and that is difficult enough. THE AUSTRALIAN CONTROVERSY. NATIVES' ASSOCIATION. ONE SHIP, NONE, OR A SQUADRON? Melbourne, March 21. At tho annnal coiiferenco of tho Australian Natives' Association, it was resolved that tho State Parliaments and tho people should unite in offering a Dreadnought to tho British Government. At tho same time tho coiiferenco emphasised the necessity for proceeding with tho Australian defence policy. It was decided to contribute £250 from tho funds of tho association if a presentation list is opened. Sydney, March 24. Tho newspapers are overflowing with lottors for and against tho presentation of a Dreadnought. The bulk of them arc fervently enthusiastic, also laudatory of New Zealand's examr.lo; The suggestions rango from the gift of ono battleship to a squadron. SOUTH AMERICAN BATTLESHIPS. A REPLY TO BRAZIL. ARGENTINA BUILDING IN GERMANY. London, March 23. Argentina is ordering three Dreadnought* They will be built in Germany.

NO OFFER FOR THE BRAZILIANS, London, March 23.

Replying in the Houso of Commons l< Mr. J. B. Lonsdale (Conservative member for Mid-Armagh), tho First Lord of tho Admiralty (Mr. M'Kenna) said tho Government did not intend to make an offci for tho Brazilian Dreadnoughts (Minns Geraes and two others) now building in, England. [Argentina has lone threatened to reply t« Brazils thrco Dreadnoughts by giving a simiJar order, but it was hoped that certain wigo. tuitions between the two countries for "equilibrium of armaments" might bring about a moro pacific and lest cosily issue. To-day's cablegram, however, would appear to indicate that Argentina is bent on going ahead, or else that Germany has induced her to do so—at any rate, in appearance—for reasons best known in'T3erlin. Recently the Rio do Janiero correspondent of "The Times" wrote:—"The subject of discord is the Brazilian Government's order for three largo battleships of the Dreadnought type, whieli is to be met by an Argentine triplot, for which lenders aro urgently called. Fortunately theso big ships take a long time to build, and by the lime they aro ready the press will probably bo commenting upon (lie entente cordiale in South America, and (ho obsolescence of floating engines of war; but, in tho meantime, taxpayers in both countries arr inclined to support tho somewhat daring pro., posal from Buenos Ayros that Brazil should keep tho first Dreadnought, eedo the secgnd to Argentina, and cancel the order for tho third.] FURTHER CONGRATULATIONS. EX-GOVERNORS' TELEGRAMS. . Telegrams and letters of congratulation were still reaching tho Prime Minister yes* terday from a number of sources. Tho following aro tho most notablo; — From Lord Onslow: "Your former Gov* ernor is proud of tho lead taken in tho Empire by tho Dominion of Now Zealand." From Lord Ranfurly: '"Hearty congratU' lations on magnificent offer of warship. Effect, excellent." From the High Commissioner: "Your offer of warship caused considerable, sensation nnd excellent impression. Appreciated all classes." VIEWS OF MEMBERS.

HON. J. T. PAUL, lev i-Ei.EGium.—sriicui. cnurtnsrns-iiKXT.I Buncciin, March 24, Tho Hon. J. T. Piuil gave his. opinion—a decided ono—this morning. "I think," saiil he, "(hat while ono must admire, (ho spirit in which tho battleship was offered, tliero can bo no' doubt thai it was a mistake, hi the first place, wo must tako into consideration tho financial position of tho Dominion, and try to look a littles ahead. Wcnro likely to experience worse times in the future than wo have in tho past, and it was an error for Cabinet to commit us to an expenditure of anything up to three jnillion pounds, without more consideration than seems to have been given—without, in fact, consulting Parliament. I say this, of course, without any exact knowletlgo of what information Cabinet possessed above what has appeared in tho rabies during tho past 'ten days. If one reads the cables with intelligence, lie. must see that tliero aro dozens of men, of high standing in tho Empire, who deprecate tho tendency to think that Britain is in any real need of such offers as this one. Docs auv resident in this Dominion think thnt, considering tho wealth of Great Britain, this Dominion, already highly in debt, should further pledge its credit for another three millions? Wo aro saddling posterity with this debt, .and it is they who will have to pay for tho battleship, Look at what Mr. Asquith said in_ this morning's cables about tho mischievous legends circulated about Britain's unpreparcdncss, and tho figures ho cites to show our position in naval strength. Don't mistake mo in speaking as I do onthis question at a lime when, through nation.il excitement, public declarations are not seen in their true perspective. I am no sympathiser with 'Littlo England' idoals. I nm convinced, indeed, that tliero is something very tangible, in the German menace, and that, possibly,, tho British Empire will have to light for its existence, hut war, with Germany will not bo to-morrow. Close observers know that Germany is not ready. While, therefore, it behoves us to proparo any national movement for the reorganisation of tho Navy, and to decide, what part the outlying portions of the Empire are to play in tin naval programme, it should not be hast:]; decided in a few hours. Bother should m calmly, and none the less determinedly fron that calmness, consider some great pl.it which, from its inception, will show Genuanj that tho Empire as an Empire is a world's power in earnest. Great. Britain does not want our money to build battleships. The wealth possessed by a few families would build six Dreadnoughts, and its dissipation hi fort less than this building of ono bv us wil bo felt. Wo aro a handful of people,tryui| to develop a great country, and, of necessity wo feel tile strain rather severely at times'. Xc*. '. think a mistake was made,"