SEVEN CRUISERS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12198, 24 July 1925, Page 5

SEVEN CRUISERS

r ADMIRALTY GAINS THE DAY AT CRITICAL MEETING AIDED BY “HIGHEST QUARTER” MR CHURCHILL DEFEATED IN FIGHT FOR NAVAL ECONOMY The British Cabinet, sharply divided on the naval building programme, decided to authorise seven cruisers. There was a severe struggle between the Admiralty, represented by Mr Bridgeman, and the Exchequer, of which Mr Churchill ie head. The papers say that one of the factors in the Admiralty's victory was the aid extended by the “highest quarters."

By Telegraph.— Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association'. LONDON, July 22. The Cabinet has reached an agreement with the Admiralty on the question of the cruiser programme. The Admiralty has accepted the Cabinet’s decision to construct four cruisers this year and three next year. Half a dozen Cabinet meetings and numerous conferences of Ministers have been held recently in an endeaour to compose the differences .over the Admiralty demand, which , Mr Churchill opposed on the score ' of economy. The lobby correspondent of the ‘'Daily Express” states that the cruiser crisis ended to-night, when the Cabinet decided that four cruisers should be laid down, two immediately and two at the end of the financial year; but that none of the hills should be presented till next financial year. There will be no resignations. The highest influences were brought to hear to prevent resignations from the Admiralty. AFTER SEVERE STRUGGLE. (Received July 23, 7.45 p.m.) The most reliable aoconnts of the momentous two-hour Cabinet meeting agree that the cruiser crisis was ended, and a resignation was averted by the decision to lay down seven ships in two years. There is some divergence of opinion on the point, whether four are to be laid down this year, and three next year, or vice versa, but it fa believed that the former proportion was adopted. The settlement, unquestionably, was ’he sequel to a severe struggle between Mr Bridgeman, representing the ' full weight of Admiralty opinion, and Mr Churchill, representing his own Budget aims, and the economists. It is generally agreed that one of the factors in the settlement was the necessity of avoiding a Cabinet split in face of the coal strike. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Parliamentary correspondent says the Admiralty’s contention has been that if economies are to be enforced they can be achieved with lees risk than that involved in the postponement of the replacement of essential ships. The deficiencies in. other respects can be met .n times qf emergency by improvising, out it is impossible to improvise ships. “ARMAMENT RACE AGAIN.” The “Daily News” says: “The Admiralty won, partly through the active aid and countenance extended them in sympathetic high quarters, partly owing to the fact that Mr Bridgeman was prepared to resign ?f the Admiralty's demands were refused, whereas Mr Churchill was not ore pared to resign if they were grantd, and partly because the minority f the Cabinet, who have been resistor the Admiralty are nbt really econo•usts. The result is that the race in rmamepts, so. far as the sea is conrned, is now to begin again.” The “Daily Express” says that Mr ridgeman, in the course of the negoxtions, actually resigned, and refused re-consider nis resignation until , had carried his point. It is believed

that the money required will he obtained by scrapping the dockyards at Pembroke, Chatham, and Gibraltar. “TAXES MUST BE INCREASED.”, The “Daily Mail,” in an editorial, says: “The Admiralty seemingly has had its way, and has overcome Mr Churchill’s resistance. Unfortunately, experiences show that the promises or extravagant departments- to economise cannot be trusted.” The “Daily Mail” adds that the proper course wpuld have been to insist on the Admiralty’s first reducing its expenditure, and then, when cuts had been duly made, to consider the request for a large new cruiser programme on its merits. The policy actually adopted is that of spending money. The taxpayer has only too much reason to fear that he will be informed next year that no economies can be made, and 1 that taxes must therefore be heavily increased. The “Daily Express” adds' that the Admiralty pointed out that of vessels built, able to steam 30 knots and over, Britain has six, the United States 10, and Japan 16. - Moreover, of 51 British cruisers of war and pre-war design, onlv two have the necessary speed and sea-keeping qualities to protect trade from attacks by cruisers of postwar design. The “Westminster Gazette remarks : “The Admiralty view means bluntly that every friendly power . is to be treated henceforth as a political enemy. This applies at all events to cruiser competition which is said to stand outside the one-Power standard supposed to have been accepted for. other ships.” “A CLOSE SHAVE.” The “Morning Post” observes: “The Admiralty is satisfied, and Mr Bridgeman remains on the bridge. Like Jutland, it has been a close shave.’* In its editorial the “Morning Post proceeding to return .-* to the attack on Mr Churchill, says: “Mr Churchill, following a radical precedent, attempted—and failed—to exercise his scheme of economy on the Navy. , He has done his best to create disunity in the Cabinet; to compel the resignation of Mr Bridgeman, and even to embarrass the Prime Minister. For what purpose Mr Churchill chose a course of action so extraordinary, the public may decide. Had he succeeded the result must have been disastrous to the Government.” SEA LORDS MUST ECONOMISE Beater’s Telegram. A Renter lobby correspondent understands that the compromise reached by the Cabinet provides that three, ana possibly four, cruisers shall be, begun not earlier than December, and three in 1926. The Admiralty demanded three in 1925 .and four m 1926. Mr Churchill, the . Treasury, and -a majority of the Cabinet 'were unwilling to agree, beyond two in 1925 and tnroo m 1926. The Treasury agreed to the compromise on the condition that the Admiralty should subrfantially reduce* ite administrative expenses* notably in regard to the reorganisation of the dockyards.