LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1479, 29 June 1912, Page 3

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

—. —» A MARITIME PEOPLE. THEIR INFLUENCES AND OBLIGATIONS. Sir,—lt is to the admixture of the Viking blood with that of the ancient Britons and Anglo-Saxons, characterised by their stubborn tenacity and their reverence for law, order, and justice, that this -maritime people—the British—by their dominating.position of sea power hold such a determining influence upon commercial interests, and developments. Their navies have policed seas in far oil' regions never dreamt of by the rulers of Imperial Rome. They have put down slavery and piracy, letting tire oppressed go free. Listen to what others say about thiem: This is Admiral Mahan's testimony as to tho effect that British fleets have liad on the progress of civilisation, and in stating it he "glances back over the pages of tho past":—This extract is taken from a naval number in the "Scientific American," wherein he draws special attention to tho influence of the British fleets on the world's history:—"Here, as always, it is necessarj' to recur to experience—to tho past—in order to comprehend the present and to project the future. Why do English innate political conceptions of popular representative government, of the balance of law and liberty, prevail in North America from the Arctic Circle to tho Gulf of Mcxico, from the Atlantic to the Pacific? Bccauso the command of tho seas at the decisive era belonged to Great Britain. In India, and Egypt administrative efficiency 'has taken the place of a welter of tyranny, feudal struggle, and bloodshed, achieving thereby the comparative welfare of the once harried populations. What underlies this administrative efficiency? The British Navy, assuring in the first instance British control instead of French, .and thereafter communication with tho Home country, whence the local power without which administration everywhere is futile. AVhat at tho moment the Monroe Doctrine was proclaimed insured beyond peradventure the immunity from foreign oppression of the Span-ish-American colonies in. their strugglo for independence? The command of the sea by Great Britain, backcd by _ the feeble navy, but imposing strategic situation of the United States, with her swarm of potential conimercjp-destroyers, which a decade before had harassed the trade of even, < the mistress of the seas.

. . . That South Africa is now a united commonwealth instead of two opposing communities, such, as the north and south of our own country might have been, is due to the same cause—a local preclonderance of power insured by sea power." Ho refers to the seizure of Tripoli by Italy js "an' evidence of the importance of the command Of the sea." "This also," he says, "should be'noted, has been incidental and determinative in the progress of the world. -Through having this command, Italy thus far has hren able io localise the laiid fighting in Tripoli, and probably can continue to do so; to the great relief of . her own resources, and that of a. watching and anxious Europe." History' is but. repeating itself in these waters, when .Rome made this declaration: "Delenda' est Carthago." It was only when she secured the command of the sea that, she was enabled to prevent supports reaching Hannibal in Ilalv, that Komo triumphed. If again (there are many Ifs /in history) Turkey, instead of allowing Germany to sell her some obsolete warships, had expended tho money so appropriated in the purchase of torpedo boats and submarines for harbour' and coastal defence, tho Italian transports conveying men and war material to .Tripoli may have been attacked with success, nnd suffered much loss before a man was landed. As it is now the only area they can lay claim to is that within the range of their guns. The position of this maritime people in the eastern' portion of the Mediterranean is clearly set forth in the views which their own correspondent communicated to the "Pall Mall Gazette" on the subject of Lord Kitchener's appointment in Egypt, dated Cairo, July 7, 1911, as follows:—

■ "It is considered here that this decision has boen actuated'.not so much by the internal political condition of Egypt, as by tho necessity of taking strong steps to maintain British prestige in the Near East, and .cope with the eventualities which- it is feared are bound to arise in the near future in the Levant, and the territories contiguous to it. Were the state of Egypt the only point to consider, it is thought that there would' have been no necessity to appoint _ a lieldmarshal, even though his experience and knowledge of Egypt and the Egyptians wero as unique as those possessed by Lord Kitchener. An administrator of repute, with full, powers,, would have sufficed. But from the fact that such a high military authority is to bo choseu for the post, it is pretty clear that there are wider considerations behind tho appointment. The shaky stato of Turkey, the precarious. and disturbed condition of the Arabian Peninsula and the Balkans, the spread of Gorman influence throughout Asia Minor, with the uncertainty, as to what intrigues the Teuton is carrying oh with his Islamic _ ally, and tho dire • consequences to which a Pan-German and Pan-Islamic combination may very possibly give rise to. The alteration iii tho strategic situation brought out by the construction of the Hedjaz Kaifw&.v. and the tussle which is going on over the Persian Ciulf, and the concessions for.'the construction of tho Bagdad line, are one and all most important factors in tho Near East situation. Great Britain's position in Egypt —for Egypt-is undoubtedly destined, from hor geographical- situation alone, to play no unimportant.part in coming eventshas been by 110 means as strong as her role of premier world-power would demand, and out here no shadow of doubt lurks in men's, minds that Lord Kitchener's appointment will portend developments in tho military situation. It is confidently expected that the much-talked-of shifting of tlie.seat of tho Mediterranean command from Malta to Cairo will follow as a natural course, and (lie army of occupation will, as. lias been foreshadowed, bo substantially increased. It is, of course, not known exactly what Lord Kitchener's official position will be, but opinion out here inclines to his combining the duties of British Agent witli. those of' Generalissimo of the British forces ill the Mediterranean, Egypt, and the Sudan. There is also talk of tho army in India and South Africa being brought .under his orders. His rank, of course, gives him seniority over all branches, and such a powerful position is quite compatible with his qualities as an organiser and a warrior." ; It may bo .news to some-to learn that Turkey has ceded to Egypt, that is, in fact, to Great Britain, its claims to tho territory situated in the Bay of Solium, on the frontier between Tripoli and Egypt. This information is taken from tho "Sun," a paper published in New York. This paper tells us: "When Italy, after declaring war upon Turkey, proclaimed a blockade of all Tripolitan coasts, it included the Bay of Solium. A protest by Great Britain led to a modification of the proclamation, and the Bay of Solium is not included in tho blockade. East of Malta, England has 110 naval base compared with''Malta or Gibraltar, which watch the central and western portions of the inland sea. A British naval station here would enable the British Mediterranean Fleet to intervene between Suez and the Italian fleets at Tobruk, and would givo it precisely the same advantages Gibraltar supplies at tho other end of the Mediterranean." At the present- timo the Bay of Solium is isolated, but for several years.the Khedive of Egypt has been spending a portion nf his personal income in the construction of n railway west from Alexandria along the coast. More than 150 miles of this line aTe now completed, and i n- further extension of 75 miles would carrv it to Solium. Admiral Mohan, as ! hns been said before, lias told us "that the day when the Mediterranean may pass out of the sphere of British influence will symbolise, if, it does not at onco accompany the passing nf the Empire, for a hostile force in the Mediterranean confronts not onlv an interior tine, a? compared with the ('-ape route, but an interior position, from which it is operative aeninst the Atlantic as well as the East. "Unmistakably, European comment. as revealed in the latest dispatches, foreshadows Uie construction at the Bay of Solium of a new Gibraltar, completing with the western Gibraltar and Malta, the basis of British naval security ill the M-diierranean." In previous letters the necessity for stationing strong squadrons of tornedo boots and submarines on the East Cca=t of England, at Gibraltar, Alexandria, and oilier strategical Mints for defensive nurpows, wns advocated, This Egyptian 1 Gibraltar will stisngthtfjCk itaeland'a

tion materially, "i'lcefs arii.V ifiJin(l rohs-,ctiii'lil l» stationed l!n;re, io .-neei? Hi Alexandria and The S'ii'ez Can'"!:., aiid as she holds the approach 1 o.nC.r.n.iits'to the Ktd Sea, ibmuiwUd jiy' Aden iind : I'erim, supports ttjfd; •twfld feftujily bo ioni'anlcifJbyUins'backd'aof to i !))-> new baso as necessity r(- l iii"'-s. Germany is about.,to sp»:ui u: in'ilii.oii pounds on suUmarnieir.jUii'cli. v.'H ji'.i'sf probably l>e sfafip.ifeil iri,..tlio i : rie : uin Archipelago, facing tlio- East Cciist. M : England. Sweden; ..ii'ii.tiirally enough; is. feeling uncomfpfialijo' lit latest;, niovo in her vicinity, and )you!:d : do well to tako time by the forelock itiiil I'sjipiUl money in torpedp:'':.:foate- aiist 'sub.nua:.i.'nes for her prntectib.n.f .as' Riif'siii, fo.i.le.il .in. her attempts to sociirp a iiiyrt; in tlif. 1 Far East, is lioyr- apparent'.y seekiiig, an outlet west or ifpii.th.'iiitp the. Mediterranean.

There is miicli re.a'fliiis : t.o be found in a . iwe.tttiy-p'ih!i-iied tjpojk, "The Future ct' Knsland;" by : the Ifcn. Georgo Posl. .'i'lie following i.-xtfac! "osi.

"Individualism and, niay or may not bo readmit is^pnly'insertieil' as wo hear so miich al.out ftilijeet.-' nowadays. it. moi:;s ignores the individual, ' and .'SocKiiisin swamps him, we are 'tis fet'-rel. !be;e sh:b ; boleths, and ar^.to^t^e-^tUus^■'n'in'Qte..en.tli century autiquitles ;i"].i- ■..H.ic 'It.tmb'gr l rotjiii-.. Tims, in the future, u.o are fc. enjoy: the energies ol" ; the\S(a!e in eroaii'.g wiia! for want of a letter -tjrih may b.o called tlio minimum man/ .Each, swimmer in 1 the maelstrom of ".life/ is /to' bo;■ buoyed up partly. The iailk-v^pf--'rliii'nia'n-■ -kii'itliicAs- i's to' bo on tnp . at-, .every ~' tlcor. _ Ther? {n be a riim-"bli line of citizenship." Further on in hi; Ijeok .lie refers io.tlie.t:>ft that for centuries' of 1 litirpii.c. has been a fr>,le' : of itittrnalional ft.rife and bi".odfhed, -aud that - it i- itlio' destiny of England to':;.at^on , gtK';.'einl, ; tlic'--scajidal 1 and to inaugurate an. era oi peace.. "To resolve that parsulpx,. dal, to substitutevcpiicprt' .for .conflict: to bring the glories' or the devilries of' wa v to their lowest diinension, and to -tpacli mankind to crow.great iii coauiion is': the. international future .Slio.provides a iwill ':npt' accent, and will clingy to force as its beatitude, Western • rivi'isa'inn will ))P"ish, for mankind ;w'ill tear tip its titledeeds as surely.?;isi;tKey:4pire' tif; feudalism. Then' ecitoin;,' (he .wonl? of Napoleon, which may be v.trarisiatod..;this; 'g!d''.'Eus' ropo bores n;c;' England 'wiU 'turn away for ever to those young -nations of hers, that are becomirigt l aiicib.nt, i .,'an.di..tb tlio.so old nations of tlio Last, .that are becoming Voting." Admiral Mahah'-^'thisvis-i•■again"'''^-.-.(ju ■ tion from a told us that ''there -iviusfc/ibn':. alliance': between on commercial."'relatioii?,'.v& i m'iiitinHy- , , i of speech, and political .interests aiid- tl'a r ditions." It England doi's (urn awav. as forecasted by/;.vj.tii .ilvi. ever" to tho.-a youiig natibiis of hers, ai'.tl if that one tluit'she •losf-. j'c.ius in,- then indeed that, liynni ol':in!enn>tibi> ; .U peu'o, thousands cf. copies --of- v.-lsii h have; beeii distributed b>i.',An(lrox\- Cbr'negits'..;niby.;'bo ■ realised. It was Writtei', by }Brbfcs?or : : George Huntin : ton College, v.-ho : . retired; on a pension from, .the Carncgin foundation. Following, aro. thu line; :--

Two Empires by the. say, ■■ , Two nationsVKreatfsffidvffee,.... ■ One authem- raibC— . Ono race of- ' Ono foitb.'wc claim, Ono God whoscYßiorious: liia'in.e •' ' We love and. praise.. ' What deeds pur. fathers wrought,. ' What battles we havo fought Let i'«nie record— . Now vengefurpassipn'^xease,. Come victories .of : pea'ce; Nor ha to nor. pride's caprico ■ Unsheath' 'he sword: '• Though (lecp^he^^yand^iwidi?;." "i'wixt realm . and' realm its.!iido. • Binds straj'id. to strand— • So be the-gulf. between . ,Urey : With bonds of. peace serene And friendship, spanned,. Now may the God above Guard the-drhr land' wo lovo. Both East/aud'.WestLet lovo more .fervent:, glow ' As peaceful^i' . ■ . And strength yet stronger grow Blessing and blest. . . . ' ' ■* ■- V^l-.:fani;oetc:y. GEORGE HKXUY I)A\"IES, '.■ Karori, Weliii'.zion,. Juiic 1"; in} 2; '. THE M ERCH ANTS!. ASSOCIATE ON: : AND ; . THE COST OF LIVING. .. Sir,—Replying !to the .reccnt:..letterin' your paper signed by'.lh A. Gold,'l have merely to state thejollowh-.j; are the facts. I make no cni;imont:.au theT'!Osi':m!, leaving it to the public to' draw their own conclusions. : Extract fromv'ffnettflrffMni's..3cjes.;Sai|i-; tary Compounds. Company io A. C, Nottinsham, dated''August 05, ; :vl011 : : - .. "\Ve explained. ,to: ; Jlr. I Beaiiehamp that while wo were'.in?:^'mpatH^wi i of his association, that" is. i0,6-ton 'u«de-.s cutting in the 'price oi" Joyftv iluid, ivo were, on the otherUiar.d',.a;i.\ions that if miniimun prices'.were iipon, they should bo reasrinableYaim^^^ ily high." ;;Mr;y;:Be:iiieh*am^^ ing "that if, his' distributing this in a irny' 111 at "\\;oillcl i /funu"<l tiefaetory to ali^parties;i'si"K:; y. ; I was subpoenaed to give evidence at the Cost of-Living liKiitiry; lit which one • of tho commissioners.;asked ; -.me^ iiie question: .';ls. it withi)r.ybiit- knowledge that chairmaa of the Bank of New .Zealand, chairman of the Merchants' Association.' in Wellington, ,; and ; . Banatyno and your prind^s-.inVoMi^?t6Vg^(Ue:es<^- : sive control of Jeyes' - fluid for this country on behalf of the' Merchants' Affcc.iation of Xew Zealand?" 1-reijiied iu. the having to will see I had no. other alternative'—l an), etc., Pi*". >-XHF-fk--, ■ ■■■■" ' A. C., NOTTINGHAM. Juno 20. ■ . "V '