Defence.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 879, 4 January 1889, Page 28

Defence.

How far the cry, now so loudly raised, as to the inefficiency of England’s naval defences is warranted by the facta of the case it is very hard to judge, seeing that the most eminent authorities are directly at issue on that point. The prevalent impression, and that a very strong one, is that England does not yet possess the means of protecting her own aearcoast, much less her world-wide commerce and her colonies. But two prominent authorities, who are among the most ardent advocates of increased naval efficiency, say plainly that the danger is in their opinion exaggerated. Lord Alcester has publicly declared his disbelief in the possibility of an invader getting a foothold on English soil. “ Personally,” he says, “ I don’t believe they would get very far. But we seamen do not like to consider such a possibility. We want to put it out of the question for a hostile army to approach our .coasts. In other words, we would have England rely for protection rather upon her fleet than upon any elaborate system of coast defences. Even supposing the fleet vanquished, it is an undisputed fact in military science that earthworks make the best kind of fortifications. Think of the thousands and thousands of navvies who could be -put to such work at a moment’s notice! The

thing would be done as if by magic. Then it must be remembered that wars are not declared without warning. This was well illustrated iu 1870. The next war will come slowly, aud be soon over. The essential point in our preparations should be the strengthening of our naval force. It is unfortunately true that, as regards large breech-loading cannon, our fleet, is inferior to those of other European Powers. We have plenty of breech loaders of 5-inch or 6-inch bore, but iu these days such pieces are little better than toys. When cannon are made which will carry twelve miles, as was demonstrated the other day at Shoeburvness, it is plain that no precautions must be neglected to keep such monsters at their distance. As to speed, we have little to fear on that score.” These are Lord Alcester’s views on the subject. Lord Charles Beresford is still more emphatic. Conversing with an “ interviewer ” the other day he said : “ The English navy is not in as good shape as might be desired. If it were I should not have resigned. But there is not the slightest necessity of getting scared about it. There would have been excellent reason for such a scare two or three years ago, but an immense amount has been accomplished since then. Our fleet is as well manned and officered as any fleet in the world, but the system should be so perfect that were war declared against England every man-of-war and every cruiser in her Majesty’s service, in whatever corner of the world they might chance to be, would know in an instant exactly where to go and what to do. Although we have not yet reached that degree of excellence, yet, even as things stand to-day, we have no cause to doubt the ability of our fleet to defend us. It would mean a little harder fighting, it might mean the abandonment of the Mediterranean, but I do not for a moment question the result. They are making a great fuss in the House of Commons about the defencelessness of London, &c., and as long as the navy leaves something to be desired they are right in wishing to strengthen the army, but England must rule the seas if she expects to rule anything. Were England beaten in the waters which form her only frontier the enemy would have only to block her food supplies and let her starve. They would conquer us without striking a blow. England can never be saved by her army. Therefore, as it is our sole hope, our navy must be very strong, very much stronger.” It will be observed that neither of these distinguished naval authorities makes any direct reference to England’s power of defending her colonies and their commerce. If it were necessary to abandon England’s important stations and possessions in the Mediterranean for lack of naval power to defend them, it seems by no means unlikely that the abandonment of the Australasian colonies might be equally unavoidable. Such abandonment would, no doubt, be only temporary, but the consequences would be ruinous to the unhappy colonies. It is to be hoped that the English Government and Parliament will recognise the imperative need of making due provision, at whatever cost, for the protection of every portion of the Empire. It is quite right that we should do our share, as we do not contribute to the general Imperial defence ; but all we can do will be of little value unless the Mother Country is able to stand by us and our commerce with her fleet, and this she cannot do unless she possesses a fleet equal to all contingencies. At present England admittedly does not possess such a fleet. Let us hope she may have time to make adequate preparations before the day of need arrives, should that ever be, unhappily, the case. Meanwhile the New Zealand harbour defences, which have been undertaken at so heavy a cost —a cost far greater in proportion to our numbers and means than that at which the Mother Country could render her navy indisputably equal to all requirements —ought to be made as complete as; possible and maintained in a condition of thorough preparedness for any emergency. And the training of our population, from the school cadets upward, to use the rifle and to perform military duty in case of need should be speedily persevered with. No human foresight can tell what this new year on which we enter to-day may bring forth. In the present unsettled state o,f Europe every spring is a period of anxiety, for it is the most favourable season in which to begin a war. It will| be remembered that last spring was looked forward to with much anxiety on this score. Fortunately the

threatened tempest did not come then, but the menacing signs have not passed away, and none can say when or where the storm will burst. It is devoutly to be hoped that the year 1889 may prove as peaceful as 1888, but nothing is less certain. England’s duty and ours too clearly is to be prepared for every emergency.