NAVAL ESTIMATES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1394, 21 March 1912, Page 7

NAVAL ESTIMATES.

AN INSULT TO GERMANY- • LORD CHARLES BERESFORD'S VIEWS. By Tclesr&Dh-rress Aisooiatlon-Cooyrie** London, March in. The debate on the Naval Estimates was continued in the Houso of Commons by Mr V H. L*e, Unionist member for the Fareham Division of Hunts, and an ex-Civil Lord of the Admiralty, who said that ho approved of Mr Chnrchills speech, but doubted whether the_ Lstinuites provided for ft l>aro minimum consistent with full security. •Vdmiral Lord Charles lieresford, Zionist member for Portsmouth, regarded tho speech ns a threat lo Germany. -Mr. Churchill should have slated the nation's requirements without reference> lo any Power. The two-keels proposition was an insult to Oermnny.

UNIONIST APPLAUSfi

IS THE MARGIN' CIRKAT UNOUCUIF London, Miuvli 10. "Tho Times" WoditiM that Mr. Churchill's speech w «* t,u ' Wsl tion of naval policy s-tmv ISS'.i. lho onlv doubt is as lo whoth.u- oiw measuri of '.superiority is Ri'Mt emme.ll.' Unionist newspapers generally applaud the speech. Tho "Daily News" (Liber.xl) doubts "the efficacy of a formidable, equivocal olive-branch", accompanied with a declaration that Germany is the only enemy we have' to reckon with, and that we aro building against her alone." GERMAN COMMENT. STEP TOWAUDS AN UNDER- .. STANDING. Berlin, March 19. Mr. Churchill's speech is being eagerly discussed. The newspaper "Lokal Anzeiger" (Liberal) says the speech ivas a decisive stop in the direction of a naval understanding between Britain and Germany. TORPEDO FLOTILLAS.

BRITAIN LAGGING BEHIND. London, March 19. Tho "Standard" says that Germany has purchased twelve 33-knot destroyers, privately completed at the Schichau yard, besides twelve completed in 1911. England projected forty in the programmes from 1911 to 1913, and has produced seven. MEDITERRANEAN SQUADRON. BASE AT GIBRALTAR. (Rec. March 20, 11.25 p.m.) _ ' London, March 20. Mr. Churchill stated in • the House of Commons that the Mediterranean battle squadron would shortly bo based on Gibraltar, instead of Malta as at present,.