THE BRITISH NAVY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 29, 31 May 1912, Page 5

THE BRITISH NAVY.

:liy Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United i'resa Association..; L-.iiidjn, May .*(). Tho "Telegraph" sajs that since the naval agreement in itiOy the lintisu policy has been poweriuiJy ail<-cted by tne renewal of the alliance ..ah Japan, and it is not expected to increase the pressure of naval atmainents in Kiiii-jjc. Consequoatly, the naval situation, in the Pacific, fil.ore no peril threatens British interests, is subordinated by recent events to tne new naval situation in Northern Europe. Therefore, the agreement of 1909 will not be carried out. This leaves the Commonwealth with a licet unit built under that agreement. The question arises whether the Commonwealth, reverting to the spontaneous offer of 1909, will follow New Zealand's example and contribute a bat-tle-cruiser, to serve in Europe with the Koyal Navy, or, despite the changed 'conditions, abide by the letter of the bond. Possibly the Admiralty will be unable to spare crews for Australian vessels if they leave Kurope, as the fleet is already short in its personnel. Malta, Ma} 30. Mr. Asquith, Mr. Churchill, and Lord Kitchener have landed, and are arranging to confer aboard the yacht Enchantress. It is stated in official circles that though tho Enchantress will exchange courtesies with the French squadron, the rumours attributing an international political character to the conference arc unfounded. Lord Kitchener is merely taking advantage of the Ministers' presence near Egypt to express to them his views ou the situation in the Med iter-

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER. (Received 31, 9.50 a.m.) London, May 30. At the launching of the Commonwealth cruiser Melbourne, there were present Sir Newton Moore, Admiral Bacon, Alderman Kelly and a large number of Australians. Mr Hitchens, chairman of Cotnmell and Laird's, in proposing success to the vessel, paid a tribute to the spirit of the Dominions in assuming the burdens of manhood. He also presented a casket to Miss Braund, who performed the launching ceremony. Captain Collins gave an outline of the Australian naval policy and he pointed out that in a recent notable speech Mr Churchill had cinpii:i i ;iscd the recent naval developments as pointing to a division of labour between the Mother Country and her daughters. Australia's sense of local requirements and Imperial obligations led to her building a navy, which task was made greater because, witli a population of only •!.' millions, they were faced by the problem of developing a territory larger than the whole of Europe without Russia.