"WE HAVE GIVEN OUR ANSWER."

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 63, 15 March 1911, Page 5

"WE HAVE GIVEN OUR ANSWER."

THE TWO KEELS TO ONE

POLICY

{Received March 14, 11.15 p.m.) LONDON;, March 14.

Mr McKenna, continued: He was unwilling in 1909, when .finally a\yare that Germany, though not accelerating, was, building greater and stronger ships, to say anything calculated to cause a scare. The .situation was now changed. "The German ships are there, and much larger ships are being built, but we have given our answer to them, and consequently the time for scare has gone."The answer took the shape of improved "Dreadnoughts," including the Orion and Lion, affording a reasonable margin of security inasmuch as in the. Spring of 1914 Great Britain would have 30 and Germany 21 "Dreadnoughts." If, as tihere would be every reason to hope and believe, the ileet law was not further amended, the Estimates for 1912----1913 would show a reduction, but, he added, amid Opposition cheers, ''We cannot pledge ourselves to any reduction until we know what developments will .take place in foreign Navies."

Mr Balfour said he did not think the Government overrated the possible dangers of the situation. He feared that the Estimates erred in proposing too few battleships and cruisers. After characterising Sir Arthur Wilson's and General Hanlilton's views as, dangerous, he inquired whether the Government adhered to the policy of two keels to one.