THE RIVAL POWERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15233, 21 February 1913, Page 7

THE RIVAL POWERS.

GERMANY'S PACIFIC MOOD. j HEADY TO- NEGOTIATE. - "'. ■ V , : --: : ;' ■ ' ■ '■'. '■"'''■■■'■•■■ '■',■':, '■ '■ " «'■"'':'.■■'*'■ \ IF BRITAIN WILL BEGIN. By: Telegraph.—-Press' Association. ! Berlin, February 19. Owing to the keen interest mani/fested in Germany in the speech recently delivered by Admiral von Tirpitz (Seeretary. to the Admiralty) on the naval question, the full , text of his remarks has been issued. The Admiral stated that he only spoke for himself, but he thought that Britain could have no doubt of Germany's willingness to enter into negotiations with a view to an understanding regarding naval matters, if she would begin.

The Minister urged the press to handle the situation delicately.

BRITAIN'S EECOKD- WARSHIP , YEAE. ;< Our? London correspondent, writing on January 11, says: '* The year_ 1913 vis likely to see a new record in British warship building. Mr. Churchill is pledged to lay down at least five largo battleships this year, while he has also given an undertaking to take special measures to. moot the' increase in the fleets of the Mediterranean Powers, and this may necessitate the construction of a• sixth battleship. • In. addition to these, one battleship has been presented to the King by the Malay States, . and .Canada, if Mr.. Borden's scheme is accepted .by the . Dominion Parliament, j. will pre/ a further three. Thus at < least nine, ind possibly 10, battleships will be taken [in hand for the British Sect, of which the cor* of four will bo defrayed by States of the, Empire. The dockyards and our great .shipbuilding firms have .already 12 battleships and battle-cruisers in hand for the navy, apart from vessels which are nearly com-, plete. In addition.; to these 12 : British armoured ships, sis battleships or.battlecriiisers , are D©ing : built in England for foreign Powers: 5 ? . ■

FRANCE AND AMERICA.

ARBITRATION TREATY'

EXTENDED.

■.•'.■' (Received February 20, 9.50 p.m.) '■■ Washington, February 20. The Senate': has ratified a supplementary Franco-American treaty. extending the operation of the present arbitration treaty until 1918.

FRENCH DEFENCE PROPOSALS^

OUTBURST OF PATRIOTISM.

Paris, February 19.. Extraordinary patriotism has been evoked in France by r the military proposals of the Government, The fact that M. Poincare, the newPresident, is '■■)■ a ■ native of Lorraine! (which became German - territory at the close of the Franco-German war) led to a remarkable demonstration, in the streets. : Many shops were, shut, and the afternoon was. observed as a general holiday.; RUSSIA."-AND" AUSTRIA.. , - Si: PBr-EBSBTOG, February 19* It is officially denied 'that the Tsar's late letter to the Emperor Francis Joseph was abrupt and unresponsive.