MORE CRUISERS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 22 July 1925, Page 5

MORE CRUISERS.

DEMANDED BY ADMIRALTY. EFFORTS TO COMPROMISE. 8 Y CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT LONDON, July 20. The Daily Express lobbyist says that the Admiralty has sprung a surprise on the Government by peremptorily demanding that four cruisers be laid down immediately as a minimum. The Cabinet meeting was postponed. The Premier (Mi - . Stanley Baldwin.) is using the strongest efforts to arrange a compromise. The Sea Lords, in effect, told the Government that it' it did not give the navy these ships it must relieve the Sea Lords of part of their responsibility, for without the cruisers they could not guard the Empire. It seemed clear to-night that Cabinet did not intend to give in to the Admiralty. Mr. Winston Churchill (Chan_ cellor of the Exchequer), who is fighting against the increased expenditure, has all the old Tories against him, but the young Conservatives support economy, and would even welcome the Admiralty resignations, on the ground that real naval economy is impossible under the present regime. The Morning Post’s political correspondent says Mr. Churchill is reported to be stubborn against laying down mor e than two cruisers this year and two or three .next year. It is generally believed that if lie js supported hv Mr. Baldwin the resignations of Mr. W. C. Bridgeman (First Lord of th e Admiralty) and the Admiralty Board will follow. The Morning Post, in an editorial headed “Plot in the Cabinet,” says: ‘‘lt is impossible to suppose that either Mr. Churchill or his allies care very much whether five or fifty cruisers or non e are ordered, but if Mr; Bridgeman can be forced' to resign the credit of Mr. Baldwin’s Ministry would receive a deadly blow, and events might he so guided that Mr. Baldwin himself would resign, in which, case a coalition would again he forced on the country.” The Morning Post’s editorial expresses the opinion that Mr. Baldwin will uphold Mr. Bridgeman, The Premier cannot possibly contemplate a weakening of the Navy.