DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 92, 13 December 1912, Page 2

DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

THE SEA LORDS. /By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) London, December 12. In the House of Commons Mr. Churchill was heckled over Admiral Bridgeman-s retirement. He stated that the only cause was ill-health. No difference of policy led to a disagreement.

Sir Charles Beresford asked, did the position emanate from Admiral Bridgeman? Mr. Churchill: Are you speaking on Admiral Bridgeman’s behalf? Sir Charles Beresford; No, no. But man Sea Lords have retired recently. Mr. Churchill; Since the noble Lord presses, the proposal emanated from 'me. (Loud Opposition cheers). The ‘Daily News’ says that it is notorious that Admiral Bridgeman retired after a serious dispute with Mr. Churchill. Admiral Bridgeman wanted higher pay for the bluejackets in order to secure the necessary recruits. SHIP-BUILDING PROGRAMME

London, December 12. ‘The Times’ says that even with the Australian 1 and; New Zealand Dreadnoughts the Admiralty programme for March, 1914,' is one ship below the GO per cent, standard. A sixth Dreadnought must be laid down in 1913 in place of the battleship New Zealand. The Dominion ships must only bo counted as extra in the European standard. It is dangerous for Britain to depend on distant Dominions, and intolerable unless the New Zealand is free to come and go as the Dominion desires. The British yards are capable of producing ten super-Dreadnoughts in 1913 if the Admiralty gives warning in time.

AUSTRALIAN CRITICISM. Melbourne, December 12. The Melbourne ‘Argus,’ commenting on tire Admiralty memorandum tabled in the House, says that those with the wit to read between the lines will fully understand the terrible pressure felt, when the powers of the Triple Alliance complete their ■ programmes, and the strain must ere long reach breaking point if these' programmes are enlarged and the United Kingdom has still to bear its disproportionate share of the common- Imperial burden. The situation must be frankly faced, “and,” it add's, '“we may be sure that just before tlfe ( breaking; point war will be inevitable, urging thej need of the Dominions, bearing a share of tire burden. If'ttev'in in the race l of armaments peace wi/f he ensured, I jut failure will, entail, the direr * fill'd eh of war, and war at a disadvantage.”