THE GERMAN NAVY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9403, 25 March 1909, Page 5

THE GERMAN NAVY.

STATEMENT IN THE REICHSTAG. United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph, Copyright. Berlin, March 24. Herr Schoen, addressing the Budget Committee of the Reichstag on behalf of Prince Bulow, said the British Government had intimated in a general way its readiness to come to an understanding to curtail the naval programme, but no formal proposal was made and. nothing pat forward which could form the basis of negotiations. In the intercourse of friendly Governments it was customary to avoid presenting formal proposals, the consideration whereof appeared doubtful. Probably for that reason Brtiain avoided addressing a formal proposal, and Germany was therefore not called upon to take up a position towards such proposal. Prince Bulow had set forth the grounds of Germany’s attitude. respecting the limitation of armaments in the Reichstag on the 10th of December. Herr Schoen added that Germany Is fleet would be measured by her needs, and implied no threat to other nations. Herr Schoen said he heartily concurred in the confident hope expressed by the entire committee that the relations between Britain and. Germany would develop further in the direction of friendship, which, he remarked, was the sincere wish of the whole German people and the German Government. The committee voted the final instalment for the warships completing in 1909 and the first instalments for three Dreadnoughts whereby it is officially stated that two have already been laid down an armoured cruiser of the Invincible type, and two small ernisers. The Kreuz Zeitung states that tenders for two other warships under he 1909-10 programme are not to be inVited until autumn. Thus the time gained on the other two ships will be compensated for and there will not be any acceleration in the development of the fleet beyond the times set down in the programme. Received March 25, 9 a.m. , Berlin, March 24. Socialist speakers in the Budget Committee are following Herr Schoen and are complaining of Germany palpably refusing to take England’s hand. The Times reports that all parties, excepting Socialists, insisted that there was no question of Germany’s reducing, her Navy programme. It should be plain to England that Germany is determined to complete her construction rapidly.