CONTROL OF THE SEAS

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15096, 12 September 1912, Page 7

CONTROL OF THE SEAS

TRIPLE ENTENTE'S- FLEETS.:

POWER IN THE MIDDLE SEA.

A FRENCH CONCENTRATION.

TO DEAL WITH AUSTRIA AND

ITALY.

By Telegraph.—'Press Association.— ißecelved September 11,'10.10 p.m.) Paris, September 11. It is announced by M. Delcasse (Minister for Marine) that six French battleships will be transferred from Brest to the Mediterranean in the middle of October, thus giving Admiral Bone de Lapeyrcre a total fleet of 18 battleships and six large cruisers. ''

The newspapers approve of the completion of the concentration in the Mediterranean.

Le Temps says that it may be assumed that the British, Russian, and French fleets are mutually agreed as to their respective duties and spheres of action. " . '< !

Russia, by holding the Baltic, will be able, the paper says, to prevent a general concentration by Germany in the North Sea, whilst France's duty will be to deal with Austria and Italy.

BRITAIN NEITHER DEAD . NOR DYING.

PREPARED TO MEET PERIL.

Ottawa, September 10.

In a speech. at a banquet given to-night to Mr. R. L. Borden (Prime Minister of Canada), Sir George Reid (High Commissioner for Australia) said that the Canadian Ministers when in -London were admitted to the very arcana of Empire, trusted with secrets of the highest importance, and made to feel everywhere that they were members of the Imperial brotherhood. When one thought of the great sti etches of sea that divided as well as united the Empire, one, he said, could not but be affected by the thought of the great problem of its defence, but the race that built up the Empire was able to maintain it in the future.

Those who talked of the Mother of Nations as . dead or • dying, he added, were entirely mistaken. If peril came Britons would be true to their stock.

Sir George was loudly cheered.