NAVAL ARMAMENTS

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 467, 27 March 1909, Page 5

NAVAL ARMAMENTS

AN EXPLANATION. THE ANCLO-CERMAN OVERTURES. NO ACCELERATION. jut tilegiuph—riip.ss AssomTioN-corTnianT.l (Rec. March 26, 11.35 p.m.) London, March 26. In the Houso of Commons tho Primo Minister, Mr. Asquitli, stated, in reply to a question by Mr. G rotten (Unionist), that Germany's intention not to accelerate her shipbuilding programme was first intimated to Britain verbally through diplomatic channels on March 10. The intimation added that Germany would not haro thirteen Dreadnoughts till the end of 1912. Comparing this with tho Admiralty's information, the Government concluded that Germany's statement applied to battleships' only, and did not include cruisers, but the statement mado on March 16 by Admiral von Tirpitz showed that it did include cruisers. On March 18 ho (Mr. Asquitli) was informed that two ships, wore to bo ordered under Germany's 1909 programme, the contracts having been promised to certain firms beforehand, but Britain was given to understand that this would in no way qualify Germany's previous statement regarding the rate of construction.

CENSURE MOTION. PARTY DIVISION MAY BE AVOIDED. (Rec. March 27, 0.25 a.m.) London, March 26. It has - now been arranged that Mr. A. H. Lee (formerly Unionist Secretary to tho Admiralty) will on Monday move a vote of censure resolution in terms identical with those of Mr. Balfour's motion.' Mr. Balfour, as Leader of the Opposition, wilf reservo his speech till tho close of tho debate, in the hope that the Government's final pronouncement will obviate tho necessity of taking a division on party lines. WHO SET THE BALL ROLLING? London, March 25. Mr. Carncgio and the New York Peace Society blame England for beginning tho aggravating policy of building Dreadnoughts. LORD CHAS. BERESFORD. London, March 25. Lord Charles Beresford, who has been retired from the command,of the Channel Squadron, has been the recipient of tremendous public ovations at Portsmouth (where ho was not long ago invited to stand for Parliament in the Unionist interest) and in London. Vice-Admiral Sir William May has assumed command of the reorganised Homo Fleet.

Lord-Charles Beresford, in an interview, saijl:—"l consider naval affairs, so grave that I must have time to consider what my duty to the Navy and the country dictates."

NEW ZEALAND'S OFFER. MESSAGES FROM THE KING AND LORD CREWE. TRIBUTE TO OUR PATRIOTISM. Tho Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) received yesterday, through his Excellency the Governor, the following cablegram from tho Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies: — ■ "1 am commanded by his Majesty tho King, to inform you that bis Majesty is deeply gratified by the patriotic feeling displayed by New Zealand towards tho Mother Country in the splendid offer, and to convey his gratitude aud high, appreciation for tho flue patriotism and generosity shown in the magnificent offer made so promptly and spontaneously." Sir Joseph AA'ard has telegraphed as follows to his Excellency tho Governor:— "The Prime Minister will be glad if his Excellency will convey, through tho Secretary of State, to his Majesty the King, tho Now Zealand Government's doep sense of gratitude for tho gracious message, and for his Majesty's generous recognition of New Zealand's offer for a warship to tho Mother Country. Tho people of New Zealand aro pleased to evince, in a tangible way, their loyalty to tho King, and to help in maintaining the strength of tho Empire."

LORD CREWE'S REPLY. "GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED." Sir Joseph Ward, Prime Minister, has received the following cablegram from the Secretary of Stato for the Colonies (Lord Crewo) through his Excellency tho Governor:— "In further reply your telegram March 22, desire you to express to , Sir Joseph Ward and to your Government ill tho warmest terras tho feeling of appreciation and gratitude with which his Majesty's Government havo received tho offer so generously and patriotically made.

"In view of the uncertainty tbat csists as to the character and extent of the demand which may be made on the national resources in the following year,' the offer of the Government of New Zealand to bear within that period the cost of providing one first-class battleship of the latest typo, and of a second of the same type should subsequent events show it to bo necessary, is most gratefully accepted by his Majesty's Government.

"Your Government will doubtless understand that it js impossible to enter into details by telegram, but you will receive at an early date full communication by dispatch, as his Majesty's Government desires to consult with the Government of New Zealand as to tho time it may become appropriate to give effect to their public-spirited proposal. "So far as tho coming financial year is concerned, tho provisions and powers for which sanction is being nsked in tho Naval Estimates now before Parliament afford amplo security,"

When seen by a Dominion" reporter, late last evening, the' Primo Minister had not forwarded to tho Governor his reply to Lord Crowe's dispatch, and ho intimated that until he had done so he would bo unable to make any statement to tho press. A "DEFERRED" ACCEPTANCE. London, March 25. Lord Balcarros, Conseivntiv; M.P., speaking at Beckcnham, Kent, said that New Zealand's offer was equivnlnnt to £1 per inhabitant, yet acceptance of it was likely to bo deferred for twelve months. "Tho Tinios" states that the Opposition consider that postponement of acceptance of Now Zealand's offar will ohill wthiwinsm and loyalty.

AUSTRAL! A\S ATTITU DK. MELBOURNE AN'FsYDNEY MEETINGS. London, March 23. Lieutenant-Colonel A. J. Gould, president of tho Commonwealth Senate, interviewed regarding the suggestion that Australia should present a Dreadnought, said that Australia was willing to do all in her power if necessity demanded it. He pointed out, howovcr, firstly, that Australia would object to anything in the nature of a compulsory levy; secondly, that somo were inclined to confuse a subsidy with tribute; and, thirdly, that tho Commonwealth had not great financial resources, owing to tho fact that eight million of rovenuo was returnablo to the States. Sydney, March 26. In tho course of his speech at the Dreadnought meeting, Mr. G. H. Roid said ho admired the liberality of that gallant little country, New Zealand. If they wanted to know who was leader of Australasia in the estimation of the world, it was not this great continent; it was that gallant placo Now Zealand. A telegram was read from Mr. Wade, State Premier, who was absent in the country, expressing tho opinion that tho proposal to give a Dreadnought was inappropriate, becauso there was no immediate danger. England was in no need of money, and tho course proposed waß spasmodic. He favoured an increase of tho naval subsidy to half a million, which would represent interost on several Dreadnoughts. The "Herald" says:—"Last night's Sydney and Melbourne meetings declared in simplo, straightforward language that, however politicians may palter, the people of Australia are ready and eager to contribute their quota to r.aval maintenance, and contribute without restriction or reserve." The "Telegraph" declares:—-"The meeting may be taken as a representative protest against the failure of both the Federal and tho State Governments to recognise the significance of the present crisis in Imperial affairs." Both papers tako Mr. Wade, tho Premier, to task for his absence from tho meeting, and his attitudo towards the proposal. Melbourne, March 26. Ono resolution carried at the Dreadnought meeting was to the effect that if the Federal Government could not reconsider its position, it should call Parliament together and give the people an opportunity of dealing with the position. Hobart, March 26. An enthusiastic meeting was held at Hobart, and a resolution was adopted in favour of tho Dreadnought proposal. Perth, March 26. A meeting of tho Labour Federation decided to strongly oppose tho Dreadnought proposal, on tho ground that if tho suggested expenditure were devoted to public works it would prove of greater advantage to the workers of the State.

APPEAL BY SYDNEY'S LORD MAYOR. (Rco. March 26, 10.15 p.m.) , s Sydney, March 26. Tho Lord Mayor is issuing an appeal to tho people of tho State for a quarter of a million towards a Dreadnought. Ho says that this amount, backed by the handsome support he expects from the State Government, will relieve the Stato from the stigma of selfishness or indifference. 'A strong and influential committco has been appointed to act with tho Lord Mayor. NAVY TRIBUTE BASED ON'INCOMES. (at Ml.nouiPS.—sr-KciAi. mnnr.*rnxn7ST.\ Duncdln, March 26. A gentleman interested in the mercantile life o? Now Zealand, who is closely in touch with trade aud shipping, suggests a method of raising money which, if adopted, would add greatly to tho present naval subsidy. His proposal is that the levy should be based on incomes, and should be in tho proportion of £1 for every £100 of income, with no exemptions, say down to incomes of £100 a year... AN APPEAL TO WOMEN. (BT TELEGRAPH—PRESS associa.tion.l Cambridge, March 26. An enthusiastic meeting of ladieß this af-. tcrnoon resolved to appeal to tho women of New Zealand to do their share in assisting the Government in connection with tho gift of Dreadnoughts. (BI TELEGUAriI—PP.BSS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, March 26. At a meeting of the General Council of the National Defence Leaguo of Now Zealand, held to-night, it was resolved to send tho following telegram to the Prime Minister:— "That tho General Council of tho National Defence Leaguo of New Zealand; entirely approves of tho prompt and patriotio offer mado by Sir Joseph AVard to the Imperial Government, and most earnestly _ urges him to take similar prompt and patriotio action for tho training and arming for self defence of tho manhood of the Dominion by the introduction of universal defensive training."

Sir Joseph Ward received yesterday a cablegram from Mr, Henniker Heaton, M.P., oifering his congratulations, and stating that ho has been asked to advise Sir Joseph Ward that members of His Majesty's Government have authorised him (Mr. Henniker Heaton) to inform him that New Zealand's patriotic offer has had a very great moral in the United Kingdom, and also in foreign countries, being specially valuablo at tho present timo. Nowspnpor posters in t.he principal cities of the United Kingdom headed: "Now Zealand's generous and patriotic offer."

The local secretary for the Navy League (Mr. 0. W. Palmer) has received the following cn-blo messago from hoadquartcrs at London: "Navy League thanks our countrymen in Now Zealand for splendid gift."