NAVAL DEFENCE

Otago Witness, Issue 2914, 19 January 1910, Page 26

NAVAL DEFENCE

THE CANADIAN SCHEME. LONDON, January 11. Speaking at Edinburgh, Sir Edward Grey condemned (he recent attempts to create a panic about the possibility of war with Germany with a view to increasing their naval expenditure. J lus attempt had produced no coolness between the two Governments, but it doubtless had some effect on the press and public opinion, resulting in a certain, anxiety regarding the future. !Je thought some agreement of ;t perfectly voluntary nature between, the two Rowers might eventually ho arrived at. When, in tiie process of time, the German naval programme was completed, it might be possible to ascertain the proportion between the navies of lira two countries, which might put the existing rivalry in naval expenditure at; rest.

Admiral Sir Cyprian Bridge, author of the “ Art of Naval Warfare,” protests against the Unionists representing the navv as weak. H-e adds that tire navy is quite equal to the two-Power standard. Mr Walter Long (ex-Chief Secretary for Ireland) declares that if the Unionists are recalled to power, and if they find that the navv is deficient, they will take the country into their confidence and ask it to grant them the necessary sacrifices. The Standard quotes an English engineer V; statement to the effect that the Eaoen works are full of guns, armourplates, turrets, and platforms for ships and forts, and that Krupps are working 24 hours a day. There are 66,000 hands employed at the works. January 13. Mr Monk, Opposition member for Quebec, dissented from Sir F. W. Borden s argument that the creation of a navy would mean, that Canada must participate in the wars of the Empire without representation in the British Parliament. The bill was read a first time. The Morning Post’s Ottawa correspondent says that Sir W. Laurier has made important concessions to the weight of public opinion by adopting the larger of the two plans furnished by the Admiralty, and in. admitting that Canada would be automatically involved in any war affecting the Empire. The provision allowing the Government to' place the Canadian •I navv at the disposal of the Admiralty is, however, seriously marred by ite permissive character, thus contemplating the possibility of Canada remaining aloof. The Post commends Sir F. W. Borden lor repudiating Sir W. Laurier a recent utterances, which suggested that tire Canadian navy might, upon the outbreak of war, : slink into harbour while Parliament vas being summoned. Sir Wilfrid Laurier has introduced into the Canadian House of Commons a Naval i Service Bill, which is on the lines of the ' Canadian Militia. Act, including a permanent force. Reserve and volunteer ■ forces, not naval conscription, are provided for. Tire force will be under the i administration of the Marine Department, but will be under the immediate control of a naval controller, advised by a. naval . board. Pensions will be provided, and a naval college will be established similar j to the Royal Military College at Kiugston. The fleet will be composed of four ships of the Bristol class, one of the Bcadicea type, and six improved River destroyers, at a total cost of £2,308,000, j and 22 per cent, extra if they are constructed in Canada. The first year’s appropriation will be 3.000,000d01. It is announced that the Government intends to begin building in Canada as soon as possible. In case of urgency the Government may by Order-in-Council place the fleet at the King’s disposal for the general Royal Navy. If action is taken when Parliament is not sitting it must be summoned within 15 days. Mir T. S. Sproule raised the question of whether an emergency meant a war in Canada, or abroad. Sir Wilfrid Laurier replied that it ; meant war anywhere. If Britain was at war with any nation in the world f Canada would bo liable to invasion, and | Canada would be at war. | Sir F. W. Borden, Leader of the Oppo- , mtion, in a. remarkable speech, twitted ! Sir Wilfrid Laurier with still holding I views in favour of Canadian, independence as shown by his recent declaration that i the proposed navy should not go to wair j unless the Canadian Parliament choose ] to send it. This declaration meant the I complete severance of every tie now binding Canada to the Empire, but before the flair was lowered on. Canadian

know the reason why. Sir F. W. Forden contrasted Canada’s action with that of Australia and Now Zealand, which had responded fully to the Admiralty s suggest ion for fleet units, while Canada hedged Australasia’s response in proportion 0 to its population was s«ven times that of Canada. Sir Wilfrid Laurier’s speech was briet owing to Mr Brodcur’s unexpected ill--112S?. Sir F. W. Borden (continuing) said that Sir Wilfrid Lauder’s proposals were too much for an experiment and too. little for immediate effect, and the speediest organisation would not make the navy effective before 15 years. A crisis would coins within five years. The possibility of a. war with Germany was very real. Germany had boldly challenged Britain’s supremacy on the ocean. Sir h. W. Borden quoted Mr McKennas, Mr Asquith's, and Sir E. Grey’s speeches of March 16, and said that if the Germans proved themselves the greater race they were entitled to supremacy on sea and on land; but (JcrnicWi naval Biipi€iii3Cjr without firing a. shot would bring the Empire to an end, and if Canaria were true to herself ehs would not 'ail in the day of the Empire’s peril, but would stand in the forefront with the sister nations. Continuing, he said: ‘‘We have the resources and, I trust, the patriotism, to provide a fleet unit, or at least a Dreadnought, without a moment s unnecessary delay. This is our duty to the country and the Empire LONDON, January 15. Dr M.acnamara, sneaking at Hastings, stated that by April, 1912. Britain would have 20 Dreadnoughts, 40 pre-Dread-noughts, and 35 cruisers ; while Germany would have 13 Dreadnoughts, 20 preDra.dnoughts, and eight cruisers. Britain would have 16 Dreadnought docks as against Germany’s nine.