IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1077, 16 March 1911, Page 5

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

AUSTRALIAN NAVAL SCHEME. (By Telegraph-Press Association CopyriehO Melbourne, March 15. Adinirnl Henderson's report and recommendations for the establishment in twenty yea re of an'" Australian fleet of 52 vessels hare been widely criticised. It is generally recognised that his recommendations are highly important, but that the enormous cost will bo a stumbling-block. Federal Ministers are reticent. Senator Pearce, Minister for Defence, says the Government has already made a start by appointing a. Naval Board to deal with other points as they arise. SACRIFICES NEEDED. London, March 14. The "Pall" Mall Gazette" (Unionist) says :—"There are no hnlf measures in the way in which the Commonwealth hns approached the problem of naval defence. Admiral Sir Reginald Henderson's report to tho Federal Government prescribes a navy which would prove an important auxiliary in a war involving the Empire. The carrying out of the scheme will need a •sacrifice, but Australians, with characteristic courage, are shouldering their responsibilities." SIB JOSEPH WARD'S SCHEME. London, March U, The Agent-General- for Victoria. (Sir J. W. Taverner),- interviewed by the "Evening Standard,"' said Sir Joseph Ward's scheme for an Imperial Defence Parliament was too elaborate, i It would be more feasible to have an Imperial council of experts, whose function would be to advise the Imperial Government. . . GERMAN PROGRESS, London, March 14. Mr. M'Kenna, in reply to a question in the House of Commons, said that since 190-1 Germany had added 19,245. men to the personnel of her navy. Britain had added only '510. NEW CRUISER ' LAUNCHED. (Rec. March 15, 11.10 p.m.)' London, March 15. The cruiser. Active, 25 knots, has been' launched at Pembroke Socks. Arrangements' are being made to commence a sister ship, the Amphion, immediately. The Active was laid down at tho end Of last July. She is an unarmoured cruiser of the Boadicea class, 3300 tons displacement, 18,00 i.h.p., and carrying; an armament of sis. 4-inch quick-firers and eight smaller quick-firing guns. CLAPHAM COMMON MURDER. : . $-—_ DRAMATIC SCENE IN COURT. (ByTelegranh-Press Association Copyrieht) ' > London, Marbh 14. At the .trial of Steiner (or Stinie) Morrison, charged with' the murder, early on New Year's Day on Clapham Common, of a French Jew named Leon Beron, there was .A somewhat dramatic interlude. While Morrison's counsel was addressing the jury a brother..of tho murdered man rushed towards counsel;' shrieking: "He is mj brother's murderer!" Detectives feeized and ojeoted the man, who' kept shouting: "He's going to get him off!" ' -,'•'■' ~ ■ ' Morrison remained unmoved. ■ Counsel declared that the prosecution's supposed important evidence had broken down. ...