NAVAL COMPETITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14947, 21 March 1912, Page 6

NAVAL COMPETITION.

I ♦■■ — 1 Mr. Churchill's speech in introducing the Navy Estimates is at once an invitation and a challenge to Germany. The enormous burdens which the race for armaments is imposing upon these two nations are rapidly becoming intolerable. But unless a mutual understanding is arrived at between the two countries they are bound to go on increasing until they break down of their own weight. Neither can afford to call a halt unless a halt is also called by the other. Mr. Churchill puts the matter very plainly and directly to Germany, when he that if Bhe ceases

: — : , • i to build more warships Great Britain will also cease to build more. The alternative is also stated with equal outspokenness. If she goes on increasing her navy Great Britain will go on increasing hers at a greater rate. It remains to be seen in what spirit Germany will receive these overtures, but we confess we are not particularly sanguine- that they will lead to any practical results. The extract from tho Speech from the Throne at the opening of the new Reichstag, which we quoted the other day, does not lead us to hope that an agreement on naval policy is likely to be arrived at. Mr. Churchill, in his speech, was undoubtedly expressing tho views of the British Government. But the German Government were well aware beforehand of those views. Before the Speech from the Throne was written Mr. Haldane had paid a visit to Berlin, and had had several conversations with the Emperor aftd his leading advisers-. It was generally believed at the time that one of the chief purposes of his mission was to bring about an understanding between the two countries regarding their navies. It is clear, however, that he failed; for tho Navy Estimates of both Great Britain and Germany give no evidence of any agreement to relax the pace. Mr. Churchill's moro public appeal for an international understanding is probably intended more for the German people than for their rulers, and it is certain to be widely discussed in Germany. We can only hope thai) out of the discussion good may come, and that the two great nations may bo led to abandon their attitude of mutual distrust and be brought into more friendly and cordial relations.