EFFECTIVE NAVAL DEFENCE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2018, 27 March 1914, Page 8

EFFECTIVE NAVAL DEFENCE.

Sh'j—l ain not quite sure of -what Jvavy, JUeagUo Mr. Cecil Palai.er is holt, secretary, but may I commend to Ms notice a. tew words from the British "Mvy" league Handbook" (page 99) \ "li'io main lesson to tho learnt from studying out- naval IristOry is that the manrten.ai.ies of the Pas Britafijiiea depends not On. alliances with other lowers, nor on friendly relations with other peoples, but on the wiiquostionablo superiority of th.o tfritisu .fleet to anj- possible ■combination:..*' ' I'lio Japs will be our ally—so loiig as it suits them* Wo know now.) it was very nearly an alliance with. Russia instead df wxtli Britain,, tfni again wo know tha:t both Japan and Oliina mtterly resent what they' look upoii as an insult to their race. % tho restrictions upon their People, coming to the Austfaj.a'sian colonies,- -and that they are only ..awaiting tlto time- when they sau and will .demand .(.by force if necessary) tlio removal of-theso restrn>. tion.s* '.

fbe present position is well put by tlio Ho-ji. Mr. Jiisher in bis speech at J'g«-garo.a, reported in. your issue of March 23.

._ Givag to *he steskness «f the, authorities at Homo, tlio time will .como When ■the people of these- southern seas will fere to fight to maintain tlieirpositroii as part of the Britisji Empire. No gift WatsMp-Sj which do not increase- the steengtli of Hie British Navj-j wilt bo of service, except that if, .sates tiie miHionairo and aeMi-milliooaires of linglaiid the eo.si of providing a, warship for tho protection of their share and. trade, as wo.at this end of ' the world must do our share in' Empire defence by-assisting to provide gome; part ■Of that protection atfi, etc., FiiANii mmt.