THE BRITISH NAVY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10716, 15 March 1911, Page 2

THE BRITISH NAVY.

COMPARISONS WITH GERMANY. [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.] (Per Press Association.) Received Marcli 14, at S.oo p.m. London, March 13. Mi M'Kenna, First Lord of the Ad- ! miralty, replying to a question, said the expenditure on new naval construction in the last three years was : United Kingdom.. £34,531,000 Germany ... £29,305,000 Showing Britain's increase to be only 16 per cent, as compared with the year I'JO4, compared with Germany's 1(30 per cent, on the same period. London, March 14. In the House of Commons, in deprecating comparisons with Germany, Mr A. W. H. Ponsonby urged the abandonment of the policy founded on the mischievous scare of 1909. LORD CHARLES BERESFORD. Lord Charles Beresford contended that our fleet margin was too small, and suggested (amidst cheers) the possibility of inducing the great Englishspeaking nations to unite for peace. If that were possible, he said, we could reduce our armaments. Meanwhilethe expenditure must continue. He argued that the present estimates were inadequate to secure an unassailable position at sea.

Mr M'Kenna assured the supporters of the motion that the sole object of the huge and costly ships was to secure that in all contingencies we should have the freedom of the highway of the ocean. This was impossible unless the navy was, supreme as- against any foreign navy, and any reasonable probable combination we might have to meet single-handed. He contended that it was impossible to avoid a reference to the growth of the German navy,' and he emphasised the drastic amendments in her fleet law in 1906 and 1908, which provided for much larger ships and doubled Germany's naval estimates in the ensuing years. After justifying his inference in 1909, which led to the building of four, contingent ships, he remarked that although the information regarding dates was. wrong, that concerning the size and cost, was right.

FIRST NAVAL LORD REASONABLE. Received March 14, at 11.15 p.m. London', March. 14. Mr M'Kenna said he was unwilling to propose an increased expenditure until 1909, when he was finally aware that Germany, though not accelerating, was building greater and stronger ships. He said that'anything of the kind was calculated to cause a scare, but the situation had now changed. Germany's ships are there; much larger ships are built, but we have given our answer to them; consequently the time for a scare has gone. The answer took" the shape of improved Dreadnoughts, including the Orion and Lion, affording a able margin of security inasmuch as in the spring of 1914 Britain will have 30 and Germany 21 Dreadnoughts. If, *s he had every reason to hope and believe, the fleet law would not be further amended, our estimates for 1912-1913 would show a reduction, but, he added, amid Opposition cheers, we cannot pledge ourselves to any reduction until we know- what developments "are being made in foreign navies. Mr Balfour did not think the Government had over-rated tße possible dangers of the situation. He_ feared the estimates erred in proposing too few battleships and cruisers. After characterising Messrs Wilson's and Hamilton's vie.ws as dangerous, he inquired' whether the Government adhered to the policy of two keels to one.

THE TWO-POWER STANDARD. Received March 15, at 0.10 a;m. London, March 14. Sir E. Grey, replying, reiterated Mr Asquith's policy to maintain, in regard to the European Powers, a two-Power, standard. The .United States must not be-taken into account in the same way as European navies. He opposed the motion because he ignored the expenditure of other Powers, ,as our foreign relations wore not strained. Referring to Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg's friendly expression in December,- he said Britain desired cordial relations with Germany, subject to the stipulation that when we made a friendship •we carried with us the existing ones. Some thought the. growth of armaments would lead to war, but it was more likely to end by a revolt of the masses against taxation. Regarding a suggested agreement with Germany, it required careful handling, jnasmuch .-is the fleet law must be executed. The better plan would be a frank exchange of information to prevent surprises.

AEBITRATION POSSIBLE. London, March 14. Sir E. Grej' eulogised President Taft's speech, on arbitration. He added that an agreement that would- refer everything to arbitration would entail some risk, and, as President Taft remarked, some sacrifice of national pride. Britain would be delighted to receive such a sweeping proposal, "but I should feel it so momentous and so far-reach-ing in possible consequences as to require the signatures of both Governments and the deliberate and decided sanction of Parliament, and that I believe could be obtained." —(Tremendous, cheers). He concluded by accepting Mr. King's amendment, which was carried by 276 to 56.

Received March 15, at 8 a.m. London, March 14

Mr M'Kenna, in reply to a question, said that since 1904 Germany had added 19,245 to the personnel of the navy while we had increased ours by 510.