NAVAL SUPREMACY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 92, 13 December 1912, Page 4

NAVAL SUPREMACY.

In a speech at Sheffield not long ago Mr. Winston Churchill spoke of the grave perils of the international situation arising out of the Balkan Wai. He said: “Historians may some day occupy themselves in unravelling the tangled skein of events, hut here and now we hope for, and so far as lies in our power, work for, a peace which, when it comes, will for ever banish th spectre of war from these broad and once fertile provinces. This is the third great war which men now living have seen waged over the quite measurable problem presented by the Balkan people and the Balkan Peninsula, and let us hope and pray that when it is all over the nations will be united in the resolve that about these affairs, at any rate, there shall nevei be another war—(cheers)—and that they will insist that the long and dismal chapter in human history which has been unfolded in that quarter of the world shall, in one way or another, be closed once and for all. There are, happily, signs, many signs, which may encourage us in that hope. We are face to face with an event which, if Europe were really animated with the passion of hatred and ambition which pessimists occasionally ascribe to it might have brought us within reach cf the long-predicted Armageddon, but so far we see all the Governments are honestly striving to adjust the difficulties and preserve their unity, and to bring their combined influence to beat on a settlement which shall be jus t to the belligerents, and for the benefit of the population concerned. So long as a loyal and honest spirit continues to govern the Great Powers no problem will arise from the Balkan struggle which cannot be settled to then common advantage and to the lasting good of the Balkan people, without any extension of the area now devas

tatcd by ■ conflict. ... As First Lord of the Admiralty I am entitled, to remind you that ive owe a debt also, ir a special sense,to that hardy breed ol sailors, to that unfailing succession ol skilful sea captains, who in every kind of vessel, against every kind cf enemy, ill all the oceans and through all the centuries, have maintained unbroken the naval power and—why should we not say it?—the naval sup remacy—(cheers)—on which the greatness and safety of our country depends, We live in a world of unceasing change. The spirit of decay pervades all human arrangements. Nr race, no Empire, no institution, reposes for any length of time on pa si virtues or past 'achievements. Unless we renew our strength continually, unless we revive and exalt withoul ceasing these impulses of comradeship and duty which are the true source of national strength, wo cannot hope to preserve definitely our happy and prosperous position.”