EMPIRE DEFENCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 14 April 1914, Page 5

EMPIRE DEFENCE

! AUSTRALIA AND THE ADMIRALTY A MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. (Press Association. —Copthioht.) SYDNEY, April 13. The Federal Minister of Defence has issued a comprehensive statement- on Federal naval policy in view of Mr Winston Churchill's recent speech. He quotes Mr Churchill as saying that a battle cruiser was not a necessary part of a fleet unit provided by a Dominion, and that the presence of such vessels in the the Pacific was not necessary to British interests. Senator Millen compares the advicegiven by the Imperial Government at the 1909 Imperial Defence Conference, when it was stated that the smallest fleet which should be aimed at should consist of an armoured cruiser of the Dreadnought type, three unarmoured cruisers of the Bristol type, six destroyers, and three submarines. The Admiralty was then of opinion that three battle cruisers were necessary in the Pacific, and- this view was endorsed by Admiral Sir Reginald Henderson in 1911. Senator Millen says that Australians join heartily in hoping that the good understanding with Japan will continue indefinitely, but at the same time it is difficult to accept the existence of that alliance as a reason for a- departure from the naval programme the Commonwealth has adoptee!. The pages of history are strewn with the wreckage of fruitless alliances, and in any case the presentone may not be renewed. The statement concludes by saying that Australia is irrevocably pledged to and will pursue, with determination the policy agreed upon with the Imperial Parliament five years ago, and this- will not. be deflected by (lie remarks of the First Lord of the Admiralty, regarding the task she has undertaken as vital to the cause of Imperial defence and essential to safeguard her own protection. LONDON COMMENT ON THE SPEECH. LONDON. April 13. The "Chronicle" says Mr Winston Churchill recognised, and rightly abstained from blaming the Dominions' feeling in favour of local fleets; but it needs more than recognition, it should be made the foundation of the Admiralty's policy towards the Dominions. Until then there is bound to 1r a- certain amount of unreality and misunderstanding in reciprocal naval arrangements. Seator Milieu's speech strengthens this moral.

We may regret, the "Chronicle" adds, Australia's frank confession that Australian sentiment dislikes the Japanese alliance,-and simultaneously the hint that battle, cruisers are required to make a show against Japan, but the sentiment exists. Meanwhile Senator Millen does net rise to the suggestion of an Imperial squadron, and really, after the Commonwealth has been encouraged to build a Dreadnought for Australian waters, why should he? (Rec. April 14, 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, ARpril 13. The "Pall Mall Gazette." commenting on Senator Milieus statement, savs that one of the worst achievements of the present Government is the destruction of the dominions' confidence in the Imperial navy policy. Senator Milieu's protest makes sad reading for those recalling the hopes raised by the 1909 conference. The dominions see the British Government shirking the standards'which it itself" set up. Senator Milieu rightly points out that Britain in 1909 preached continuity of policy, but was now turning its policy fiiside* out. Australia and Canada had good reason to suspect the sincerity of the Admiralty's professions, and the result is that the co-operative spirit has weaked. The "Globe" remarks that Sir George Reid's confident message from Australia is -decidedly inspiriting. Australia possesses a special attraction for the British emigrants, because nowhere else do they so readily feel at home. Her growing attachment to the Mother Country simply fulfils expectations. None of her lessons are more impressive than the manner in which the defence problem had been faced.

AUSTRALIANS a.VD DISCIPLINE. AN ANSWER TO DETRACTORS. LONDON. April 12. Sir George Reid states that Admiral Patty told hin ■he was more than pleased with the battleship Australia and the seamen, of whom he spoke in the highest terms. Sir George Reid added that their readiness to serve and their obedience to discipline should silence British detractors. The position in the Far East was unsatisfactory and the time must come when India must help to maintain a fleet in the Pacific and Canada must do the same, though her position differed in. several respects from Australia.

COMMONWEALTH SUBMARINES. (Rec. April 14, 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, April 13. The firm of John Brown, of Clydebank, has provisionally accepted an order for the Commonwealth's submarine and depot ship.