CABLENEWS.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 831, 18 March 1909, Page 2

CABLENEWS.

BRITISH NAVAL ESTIMATES.' * i A MEMORABLE DISCUSSION IN, THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. GERMANY NOT TO BE TRUSTED. DETERMINED iONE OF BRITISH STATESMEN. ! AUSTRIA'S PLAIN SPEAKING. VIEWS OF THE TRESS. IBY ELEOTRIO TEI.EGBAPH — COPYRIGHT.] LPER TOESS ASSOCIATION.] * London, March. 17. The House "of Commons was crowded on the occasion of the Right Hou. It. McKenna (First Lord of the Admiralty) introducing the naval estimates. This was due to the disquieting effect caused by Mr Balfour's detachedi non-party, oriticisms and Mr Asquith's grave admissions, intensified by the attitude of the majority of the Reduction of Armaments Committee, and the Labour Party having shaken their resolve to vote against the increase. Mr McKenna admitted that the cs Iliraates required the strongest just:tication from a Government pledged to peace, retrenchment and reform, hut the limits of the British. Navy were fixed by the other Powers. Germany was so hastening her shipbuilding that thirteen Dreadnoughts instead -of nine would be completed in 1911. Britain would then have sixteen, but. it was possible that Germany would complete four more by April. 1912. Thus arose the necessity for Britain ordering guns and armour to enable her to complete four extra ships by March, 1912. Mr McKenna said that in 1907 only two ships in the German navy wer6 capable of being called Dreadnoughts, now there were fourteen and three wore in course of construction. Moreover, Krupps and other firms were now able to supply the component parts of eight battleships in a single, year. The resources of British firms were taxed to retain supremacy in rapidity and volume of construction. The Dreadnought and Invincible types were not the only vessels, but in case of war it would 1 be impossible to recall cruisers from the foreign service, they being necessary to keep open the highways of sea life. The King Edward VII. and Formidable type of vessels had been shortened, though they were not obsolete. Mr Baflfour emphasised the fact that Germany laid down eight Dreadnoughts in 1908. He quoted the Minister of Marine's statement in the Reichstag, "We can build as fast 'as the English." Assuming that this was true, in December', 1910, Britain would have ten Dreadnoughts and Germany thirteen. In July, 1911, Britain would have 14 and Germany 17. For the first time in modern history, Britain -was facing a situation so new and dangerous that it was difficult to realise all its import. Bordering our waters was a Power with a capacity and will to compete with our navy. The Government programme . was utterly insufficient. He asked the House to adopt a resolution not for a two-Power standard, which was beyond question, but a one-Power standard in ships of the first class, which seemed to be slipping from our grjisp. ■ Mr Asquitb, in 'replying, admitted that the hypotheses upon which the lsist uavall' programme' was based had bePii falsified by events. The Government was greatly surprised in November to learn that Germany was hastening the construction of four Dreadnoughts. It was untrue that Germany would take thirty months to build a ship which Britain had taken twenty-four months to build. There had been such enormous developments in ships for shipbuilding in Germany and provision for gun mounting, turrets, and armaments, that Britain no longer held the advantage. Mr Asquith continued -by dealing with Mr Balfour's estimates. He stated that i Germany had given an explicit and most distinct declaration that shje does not intend to further accelerate her naval programme. Though this was not a plledge in the sense of an agreement, and it was impossible to put it before Parliament, the Government programme was based upon the assumption that the declaration was not to be carried out. There was no possibility of an arrangement with Germany for mutual reduction. Efforts in that direction had^ been made but hadJ failed. "If Germany accelerates shipbuilding," said Mr Asquith, " we have time during the year to make necessary provision for replying." Messrs Balfour and McKenna stated they believed that only material and armaments had been collected for two of the four Dreadnoughts, the construction of which it was proposed to hasten. Messrs Balfour and Asquith regretted the necessity for comparisons with Germany, and insisted 1 that they did not imply that the relations between Britain and Germany were strained. Vienna, March 17. Austria is emphasising her reply to ' Senna by raising 66 battalions m Bosnia to a war footing. This is equivalent to adding 40,000 men to the army. (Received March 18, 8.30 a.m.) London, March 17. The Navy Estimates debate created a profound sensation throughout the country. The Daily News reluctantly supports the Estimates, and argues that the entente cordiale between Bri-tain,-France, and Russia dominates the European situation, and explains Germany's fears. Meanwhile, this disastrous competition means to us an increase in taxation, possibly beggaring social reform. The Chronicle declares that the question is no longer whether Ministers are justified in proposing so much, but rather whether they are justified* in not proposing more. The Times notes Premier Asquith's;. renewed pledge, and hints that Hfchifi Imay ultimately entail the enlarging' of the present estimates. It' adds }. "German dockyards and factories- are * working night and day, the Govern-"' raent in some cases paying 25 per cent, above the original! estimates,' 1 •; ;iJBe .'W^ininster Gazette says that, the Government's frank stetement'r*- : gardin^ Germany's aooeleraiio^- wiH ''> ensure unanimity being supported. The Pall Mall Gazette aa.fi as; Australia is laying down conditions for th« construction of *»whipe;