GERMAN GUN=MAKING

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 533, 19 June 1909, Page 5

GERMAN GUN=MAKING

KRUPP'SSPURT.

ADMIRALTY WARNED IN 1906.

CATERING FOR WORLD'S ARMAMENT trade, v, ' (By Telegraph.—Press A6Boclati6n.-Oopyriffht.) (Rec. Juno 18, 10.10 p.m.) London, Jmic 18. The' "Standard," from an authoritativo source, quotes a letter dated May 11, 1906, informing the Admiralty of tKo , fact thot enormous expenditure was then in' progress at Krupp's works, Essen, for'the purpose .of manufacturing' largo naval guns and gunmountings quickly. The tetter added:

"These extensions will'give a possibility of output far in excess of the whole capacity, of Britain. The scheme must either/bo to meet immeuso future requirements for Germany, or Krupp's mean to'secure tho whole ormamont trade of tho world, outside tho few Great Powers who build for themselves."; STATEMENT BY THE FIRST LORD. (Roc, June 18, 11.5 p.m.) ■ London, Juno IS., . Replying to a question asked, in tho Honso of Commons by. Mr. J. T. Middlomorc (Unionist member for North ' Birmingham), ' Mr. M'Konna, First Lord of the Admiralty, stated that early, in 1806 the Admiralty was first aware that Krupp's works wore being extended. Tho expansion had boon continuing since.

GUN-MOUNTING PLANT. . A good doal of Uio recent controversy..centred in Britain's present limited capacity in making ; "Engineering" writes: — time required for the construction of a capital ship is aopendont on the period needed for th« building-up of tho' gun mountings.' Those for the Dreadnought took nearly nine months niore than the ship itself, iln othor words, the mountings, were ordered six months before the shin, ana therefore a long time betoro the detailed design was completed. If that were possible then, why not now?' In another article the ; same'paper v says:—"For igun-moUntings, Croat pits, uuilt on specially prepared foundations, have to be made. Planing and othor, maohines have to-be fitted of a combined siae, power, and accuracy not required in mercantile engineering. , Such . specialised - appliances should only bo multiplied'under tho fullest assurance of their necessity. Tho thomselves havo. roieotcd tho idea that Woolwich : should bo adapted , for tho making of modern gun-mountings,' and they acted wisely. But if Government money is withheld in tho absence, of guarantee for continuous utilisation and a steady earning of on capital, why should private firms be expected to spend their money, or tho money or the nation, ;to the_same; end, and without, any \such guarantee? The existing {resources liaye..not yet been 'proved inadetjuftti. Nor is. there the least likelihood of this if the Government will exercise .care to ensure that there should be Continuous operation." It takes about eighteen months from the placing; of tho order to the completion of the latest.form of bnrbetto mounting for two 12in. guns, and ■ if orders' are issued as soon as the state of tho preliminary designs justify,\ all will be well."