IMPERIAL DEFENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14380, 25 November 1908, Page 7

IMPERIAL DEFENCE

DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OP LORDS. AN IMPORTANT DISCUSSION. J?re«i Association—By Telegraph-^Copyriffht. LONDON, November 2i (Received Nov. 24, at' 10,55 p.m.) Lord Roberts, in a, weighty speech, moved that the defence of the ..country necessitates the Government's immediate attention to the provision of aiviirmy so .strong and efficient that the most formidable foreign nation must hesitate to attempt a. landing. Also that it is desirable, in view of the altered strategic conditions in the North Sea, that the' .Government should, following Mr ''Balfour's precedent in 1905, make a statement on the invasion problem, and definitely, state the conclusions it has reaahed/ as the residt of the recent inquiry by the Committee on Imperial Defence. . / ' Lord Roberts disclaimed the slightest hostility on the part, of Britain to Ger-, many. Nevertheless, he emphasised the fact thai, bis. and' Lord Lovat'B inquiries hud convinced them that- there were available at all times in German ports ships sufficient to convey 200,000 soldiers.. The latter could be collected without fugs >or mobilisation, and 100,000 could be transported in the same number of ships which Mr Balfour was informod in 1905 would be needed for half that force. The debarkation would occupy far less timo than Mr Balfour thought necessary' for a, much smaller force. Mr Balfour's optimism in stating, that a seriotie invasion'was not a possibility need not be discussed. It had, however, a most unfortunate effect, because the War Office, up to 190b, was preparing a defence army equal to any emergency then contemplated. It immediately stopped nil schemes for resisting invasion, and cided that it was only necessary to pro., vide against a couple oE raids of 50,000 each. The public accepted the .statement with delight. It was just what they wanted to hear, but.it was possible that our fleets might be misled and evaded, and an army landed, receiving help from the 80,000 Germans now here in various capacities, all of whom were trained soldiers. Events in the Near East proved that nothing could save a country which was unable to protect itself. No alliances nor treaties could avail. Every nation must depend upon itself; We needed a territorial force of one million men. ,

Lords Lovat and Milner supported Lord Roberts, while Lord.Cromer commented on the recent electric shocks in Europe, and hoped that the statement on the invasion problem would be deferred. Lord Middleton urged that if the Government wanted to ."make the Territorials a reality, 1 it jniust tell the people the truth in regard to the vital matter of defence.

Earl Crewe, in resisting the resolutions, said he hoped the discussion would not lead to a grave misunderstanding abroad. He admitted that the country ought.' to bo in a position to meet an invasion, Tiowever remote the possibility, adding that the General Staff of tho army had prepared a scheme making it possible to throw the largest practicable force -Upon any given point at any time needed. Lord Lansdowne said that neither Mr Balfour nor the Defence Committee claimed finality for the position' in 1905. There had been great changes since then. He asked for some general statements, including.information relating to the force available to repel invasion. v , , The last portion of the resolution was withdrawn', and the first part carried by 74 to 32. '