IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 14966, 28 August 1912, Page 6

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

A WARNING NOTE ON AUSTRALIA. HER NAVY MAY PRODUCE WAR. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON. August. 27. 'The Times’ eulogises the lead given by Australia and. New Zealand to the other Dominions in practical measures of defence. In the course of a leading article the paper says; “Australia is now embarked on important naval development for reasons that are different from Canada’s reasons. Canada, desiring mainly a. genera! security against war, inasmuch as her security is absolutely dependent on that of the Empire as a whole, is naturally inclined to close co-operation with the British fleet in European seas. Australia, on the other hand, looks first to the Pacific and the balance of power there. Her first consideration is the reverse of Canada’s. It it. security against a direct attack." ‘The Times’ than ufteis a warning in connection with the argument that the Australian fleet will remain Imperial because it will become so immediately in the event of war. It argues, fiistly, that the movements of the Australian fleet may in themselves produce war, and if the Empire as a whole has no voice in the movements of the fleet it cannot accept the responsibility for the consequence which the movements may entail. Secondly, if Australia conducts her own policy in the Pacific —a policy over which other Imperial statesmen have no control —she will he committing her other partners in the Empire to the liabilities which they cannot limit or foretell. These conclusions admittedly have no immediate bearing on Imperial relations, inasmuch as they are based on conditions which do not. exist at present, but it Is essential to look forward, as Mr Barden pi opuses, and provide for the gradual accommodation of Impelial relations to Imperial needs. The problem is not simple, and progress can only be tentative. GROWTH OF NAVAL OPINION. LONDON, August 27. (Received Augn-t 28, at 9.30 a.m.) ‘ The Times ’ has published a scries of pi tides detailing the growth of Australian naval opinion. The writer asserts that the visit of (In. American fleet in 1308 started tic hitheito unspoken desire of Australians into practical expression. The ‘Pail Mall Gazette,’ commenting on the articles, believes they will act, as o corrective of the somewhat widely-held British view that the Australian is less imperially minded than the Canadian or the New Zealander, because he prefers his own navy to contributing to the upkeep of the British Navy. AN OFFICIAL EXPLANATION. LONDON. August 27. (Received August 28. at 1.25 p.m.) In the course of an interview Captain, Collins explained how the ‘Daily News’ had misunderstood the Cadet statistics. Obviously the (.aper was not aware that those lads who were absent without leave ! would be. permitted to attend subsequent compensating paiades. Captain Collins | also quoted from the statement made by ! the Fedeial Minister of Defence (Senator i Pearce) in the Senate..