IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 545, 28 June 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

A CRITICAL TIME. PARTNERSHIP IN THE COMMITTEE. • LORD ESHER'S ADVICE. (By Telegraph,—Proas ABsociatton.—Copyright.) (Roe. June 28, 0.20 a.'m.) V London, June 27. Tho Press Conference closed on Saturday. Lord Eflher (who is a member of the Committee of Imperial' Defence) presided at tho closing session. Ho said that, thanks to Mr! Chamborlain, Licut.-Col. Secly, Lord Rosebery, and Mr,. Rhodes, tho conception of tho Empire to-day was -wholly different from that in tbo 'seventies. Tho Empire's difficulties began when it passed from belief to action. :''''.'•• Tho firet necessity was to move alowly and prudently, towards an Imperial Navy. This meant that British bfficors and sailors' all over the- world would bo not' only willing to fight, but also trained to fight sido by sido in tho same fleet. The dologatcß would':bo wise if'they limited consideration to that which was practicable within ton years; ■ ; ■,' They would thus bo ' oh : clear ground, which would .enable statesmen ,to achieve practical measures. The Dominions .must gain experience themselves. Thoir true guides would be, • not tho Admiralty, but thcif own officers, who had learned lessons in their, own .fleet. ; . ,; Tho military problem could bo summed up in three words: "A General Staff." By that means the personnel and tho. material of/war could.bo standardised throughout tho Empire Dofenco'imeant not only a navy and an army,'but the organisation in pcaco of all their resources,: financial and other, for tho protection of the people.' Ho, hopeftilly' looked forward to tho timo when tho Committee of Imperial Defence would bo strengthened by the nddition of overseas representatives.' TWO-POWER STANDARD. MOTHERLAND NEEDS CHILDREN'S x AID. (Rcc. Juno' 28, > 1.5 a.m.) London; June 27. At tho Press Conference Admiral Lord Charles Boresford said that tho dominant note of all tho statesmen in addressing tho Conference had been gravo anxiety, and this was not expressed without reason. Ho added:

"In my opinion, tho reason is that they know wo aio not prepared The colonial offorß to build Dreadnoughts are tho severest condemnation possiblo of ■ Britain's Imperial dofenco policy Tho ovcrsoas nations have recognised what Britain ought to havo rooognisod oarlior—that Britain has arrived at a timo whon it is impossible to maintain tho fwo-Foner standard without tho Overseas 'Dominions helping." ' ■ A COUNBEL OF BOLDNESS. "THE'DOMINIONS,MEAN BUSINESS." (Rec. Juno 27, 5 5 p'm.) London, Juno 2G > I Lord Milner, speaking before tho Compatriots' Club, referring to tho great defence movement now stirring tho Empire, re markod: "Tho Doniimpns dosiro and mean business in this matter." Ho added.'

f "Tho .occasion calls for ■aboldcoustruotiTo ! policy. ■. The' more courageous; a'rid', coaprlshonsiyc. tie proposals, advanced; bytho.Hpino Government,. the greater';theirj, v obanco.' of success;'' 'V.- ';';"'.:■ : -■ '■£'?■■.■ ' r ~'''\.l': Y.