EIGHT DREADNOUGHTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 515, 24 May 1909, Page 5

EIGHT DREADNOUGHTS.

WILL CABINET BUILD THE EXTRA FOUR? GERMANY'S MEDITERRANEAN ALLIES, (Recoivcd May 23, 4.30 p.m.) London, May 22. Several newspapers report that owing to revival of the Triple Alliance and to Italy's and Austria-Hungary's Dreadnought pro. gramme, the Government will build eight Dreadnoughts during the present financial yo>r, besidos accelerating the production of guns and armour. Tho Prime Ministor, Mr. Asquith, will ho questioned on the subject when tho Commons meets. Y

fin reference to. the cablegram °f May H concerning Italy's Preadnought programme, it was pointed out that if the cabled statements are correct, "by 1912 Germany's two allies should eaoh hnve nt least four Dreadnoughts completed! that is lo eny, there would be eight to consider along with Germany/s 17 (the Liberal Government's eatiroate); or 25 Dreadnoughts in the Triple Alliance by 1013, If Mr, Batfcmr's estimate of Germany's building operations (21 by 1912) is acoeptod, the figure will bo 29." The announcement of the Italian programme followed close on the visit of the Kaiser to Italy.] . ■ _, / AN ADMIRALTY ASSURANCE. GERMANY TO BE ECLIPSED IN 1912. (lUo. May 23, 4.80 p.m.) London, May 22. Speaking at Lowestoft, Dr, JlacNamara, Parliamentary i Secretary to the Admiralty, announced: By Easter, 1012, the British Fleet will be so strengthened that Germany will not be ablo to approach us, and the, fact of ours being the latest and most offjoicnt typos ehould add to the margin of superiority- -. ..:"■.. ' . . .