NAVAL SITUATION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8559, 23 October 1913, Page 7

NAVAL SITUATION

IMPERIAL DEFENCE PRONOUNCEMENT BY THE NAVY LEAGUE. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright (Times—Sydney "Sun" Special Cables.) - (Received October 22, 7.25 p.m.) ' LONDON, October 22. Tho Navy League has addressed a pronouncement on tbo naval situation to the people of the EnipireIt declares that the time has arrived for the establishment of closer Jelationship in Imperial defence. It urges the Imperial Government to take steps immediately to promote closer co-operation with the sister nations, and to create a central Imperial council to deal with tho problems of the Empire and of naval defence.^ It also advocates a standard of two keels to one in capital ships against tbo next strongest nation; also the creation of an Imperial squadron to show tho flag and to enforce diplomatic rights in any part of the world. “SYRENS’ BLASTS AND FLUTE MURMURS.” THE LESSON OF NELSON’S LIFE. (Received October 23, 0.15 a.m.) LONDON, October 22. Lord Selborne, in a speech, stated that ho did not think electioneering speeches were tho proper method of opening communications with foreign Rowers. Repeated alternatives iof blasts from a syren with murmurs from a flute could produce nothing except international discord. The proper channel for such communications was the Foreign Office, which was quite competent to conduct negotiations to improve relations with foreign neighbours.* It was impertinent for Great Britain to dictate to any foreign nation in resnect to what concerned such a nation alone. Tho naval standard best suited to the present British requirements was two keels to one of tho next strongest European naval Power. That standard was within our national means, and would' enable us to fully secure the great duty and responsibility of ensuring tho development of every part of the Empire. It would also enable us not to exclude Mediterranean control. Control of the Mediterranean was as essential aa control of the North Sea or the English Channel. The lesson of Nelson’s life greatly needed to bo learnt to-day. It wasn’t what a man could get out of his country, hut what he could give. MR CHURCHILL’S “NAVAL HOLIDAY.’’GERMAN PRESS INDIGNANT. (Times— Sydney "Sun” Special Cables.) BERLIN, October 21. The press pours out a mixture of in- . diguatiou, contempt, and pity on Mr Churchill’s scheme for a. “naval holiday.” The “Lokal-Auzeiger” attiibuthe the proposal to a desire to anticipate n reduction in the German Estimates, Mr Churchill doubtless recognising rightly that the creation of a single breach would make tho whole structure totter. Conservative organs' assert that Britain is trying all means to wreck the German Navy Law, not even hesitating to infringe the sovereignty of a foreign State. FRENCH PAPERS FRIENDLY. MILITARY SITUATION MIGHT BE COMPLICATED. (Timee—Sydney "Sun” Special Cables.) PARIS, October 21. "While most of the newspapers are friendly to Mr Churchill s proposal, it is pointed out that even if Germany agreed to the change it would only complicate the military situation for France, as Germany could spend on her army tho saving effected on battleships. There is a general agreement that France would he unable to afford to sacrifice, her naval programme, which was adopted in the hope of regaining her former position as a naval Power. CONSERVATIVES WIN CANADIAN BY-ELECTION, (Received October 22, 10.30 p.m.) OTTAWA, October 22. The Conservatives won the by-elec-tion in East Middlesex, Ontario. It was chiefly fought on Mr Borden’s naval policy.-SEMI-OFFICIAL GERMAN STATEMENT. (Received October 22, 10.30 p.m.) BERLIN, October 22. A semi-official statement has been issued to the effect that no doubt Mr Churchill has sincerely good intentions, and that he has not spoken, a word which could impair the development of Anglo-German friendliness, but the path on which he seeks amelioration of armaments would hardly lead to that goal.