THE RAGE FOR ARMAMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14947, 21 March 1912, Page 7

THE RAGE FOR ARMAMENTS

"ANINSULT TO GERMANY."

ADMIRAL BERESFORD'S VIEW.

TIMES PRAISES CHURCHILL.

EQUIVOCAL OLIVE BRANCH.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copy London, March 19. In the debate in the House of Commons following on the speech of Mr. Winston Churchill (First Lord of the Admiralty), in introducing the Navy Estimates Mr. Arthur H. Lee (Civil Lord of the Admiralty in the ! Balfour Cabinet) approved of Mr. Churchill's speech, but doubted whether it provided a bare minimum consistent with full security. Admiral Lord Charles Bcresford regarded the speech as a threat to Germany. He said it should have stated the nation's requirements without reference to any Power. The two keels to one proposition was an insult to Germany. The Times declares that the speech is the best exposition of naval policy since Lord George Hamilton's speech in 1860. The only doubt is whether the measure of superiority is great enough. Unionist newspapers generally applaud the speech. The Daily News doubts the efficacy of a formidable and equivocal olive branch, accompanied with a declaration that Germany is the only enemy we have to reckon with, and that Ave arc building against her alone. The Standard says that Germany has purchased 12 33-knot destroyers, privately completed at the Schichau yard, besides 12 completed in 1911. England projected 40 in the programmes of 1011 to 1913, but produced only seven of these. Berlin, March 19. Mr. Churchill's speech is eagerly discussed in Germany. The Lokal Anzeiger describes it as a decisive step in the direction of a naval understanding. MEDITERRANEAN SQUADRON. (Received March 20. 11.25 p.m.) London, March 20. In the House of Commons the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. Churchill, said that the Mediterranean battle squadron would shortly be based on Gibraltar.