BRITAIN'S OPPORTUNITY.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12494, 22 March 1909, Page 2

BRITAIN'S OPPORTUNITY.

UNEMPLOYED SHIPWRIGHTS. GERMAN EXPERT'S VIEWS. mi „o , London, March 20. Ihe . Spectator" declares that England has been living in a naval fool's paradise. Many newspapers suggest that Britain should purchase Brazil's three ■Dreadnoughts now being completed, at Elswiek and Barrow.Naval experts assert that the present is an exceptional opportune time tor laying new ships. Material is cheap, and m . view of the unemployment, several great firms wiil be glad to keep their plants running and their workmen together, fof the smallest margin of profit.

Berlin, March 21. The papers publish details night and day of the works" in the extension of Wilhelmshafen and declare that within a few months it will supersede Keil. All Dreadnoughts and Invincibles under construction will be stationed at Wilhelmshafer. ■ ' -

Count Keventlow, a naval expert, states that Mr Asquith is in error regarding Germany's assurance that she. will hot accelerate the construction. Count Reventlow boasts that Germany's shipbuilding is capable of. more rapid progress. Prinve Von Bulow and Herr Von Schoen refused to attend the Budget Committee, the members demanding an explanation of the discrepancies between Admiral Von Tirpitz's and Mr McKenna's statements regarding Germany's rate of construe-, tion.

The Canadian and Ciipe Colony newspapers are impressed with the gravity of the naval disclosures. .