DEFENCE OF BRITAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14648, 6 April 1911, Page 5

DEFENCE OF BRITAIN.

LAND FORCES DEFICIENT. ~-■.., DOUBLING THE ARMY. . , URGED, B7 LORD ROBERTS. HALDANE. FEARS THE COST. By Telegraph.—Press Association.— • ■'•••/ London, 'April'. 4.. In. the House of Lords to-day Earl Roberts, in proposing a motion, " That in view of altered strategical conditions on land and sea... in Europe, this House views with grave and growing concern the inadequate naval and military arrangements," 1 warmly lauded Herr von BethmannHollweg's statesmanlike and manly speech in the Reichstag, especially his contention that an Empire's armed forces must correspond., with that Empire's resources. Disasters similar to that which occurred in the South African war, if received at the hands of a stronger adversary, might have meant the downfall of the Empire. Britain required a million adequately trained men in addition to the regulars in order to give the navy perfect freedom of action. He urged ' the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire. into the matter. Lord Haldane (Secretary for War) stated that, apart from the impoesibility of obtaining officers, ' Lord Roberts' army would cost £40,000,000, thereby threatening national bankruptcy. They could not get prosperity jn peace time if they crushed the people down with a weight of armaments only needed in war time. If there came a bolt from the blue, Britain would have 580,000 men to receive invaders. Under compulsory service it would be impossible to keep up the overseas army,* and thus they would imperil India. The arbitration treaty with' America, and Germany's assent to the exchange of naval information, indicated a Worldwide desire to diminish the burden of armaments. Command of the sea must be the first concern. He' would gladly join with Earl Roberts in providing . better physical and intellectual training for youths between 14 and 17. ,•' ■■ . : . Lord Mimer considered Britain ought to have an expeditionary; force which would:' not >• be a negligible quantity in the event of necessity m maintaining the balance, of pew ex in Europe. • ; ■'..".. '„ . . (Received April.6," : a.m.) London, April 5.1 Lord Roberts' motion was carried by 99 votes to 40. ;■ "■" Lords Midleton, . Lucas,. Derby, Curzon, and the Duke of Bedford took part in the debate. y•