THE NAVAL CRISIS.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12497, 25 March 1909, Page 2

THE NAVAL CRISIS.

HOUSE OF COMMONS DEBATE. THE COLONIES' PATRIOTISM. FURTHER PRESS COMMENTS. [Pbess Association — Copyright.] London, March 23. In the House of Commons, during the Naval vote debate, Mr E. Beauchamp (L.) and Mr A. C. Beck (L.), urged the Government to include four conditional Dreadnoughts in the 1909---1910 programme. . Mr E. R. Ridsdale (L.) ; emphasised that grave anxiety is. existing throughout the length and breadth of the land. He said that .it /was unfair to describe it as .''manipulated" ; but it could he allayed at the cost of four more Dreadnoughts. He -added: "For: Heaven's sake why not lay- ..them down!" (Opposition cheers). Unionist newspapers applaud the patriotic spirit prompting Australasian offers of battleships find argue, that the general fooling is that we ought not to: need" them; "and- that if ws have failed in our duty this. is. not th' 3 occasion when we ought to ask the colonies to come to help us out. The papers indignantly deny anything in the nature of a panic, hut simply avow a steady determination not to be. outstripped in a vital competition. •'..'•,, .i j. The "Morning Post" declares that Australasia's splendid example will have a far reaching effect, quickening the Imperial' spirit and hardening the Motherland's resolution unflinchingly to face the task before -her. "The Times," remarking that the ctn sure debate was virtually anticipated in- yesterday's debate in the House of Commons on the Naval vote, warns Mr Asquith; that the "unscrupulous agitator," referred, to m his speech was ; clever enough to rouse the city into indignation on one hand, and on the other to cause New Zealand offer of one or even two Dreadnoughts, and to evoke striking demonstrations of the daily recorded sense of partnership in Imperial responsibilities in all self governing: deminions. The paper adds : "The country and the Empire, oy extraordinary, unanimity, judged his • (Mr Aequith's) measures inadequate. The ' 'Star" commends Mr Asqiutii ,for "smashing an artificial naval agitation." „ - „ „ , The "Manchester Guardian" desciibed Mr Balfour's censure motion as a war policy, and urges England to treat German professions as falsehoods. Lord Plunket' s cablegram contain- . ing New Zealand's offer of Dreadnoughts, was , immediately conveyed to the King by Mr Asquith and the Admiralty.^ ' . . r Prominent Canadians, stirred by Australasia's lead, are raising .• the question of offering a Dreadnought. In the House of Commons, Mr Mc.Kenna, the First Lord of the Admir-, alty, in reply to Mr J. B. liohsdale, said that the Government did not m--tend to: make an offer for the Brazilian Dreadnoughts now', being built in England. - _ , The. -'Daily Mail" declared: "We shall gladly .'accept the precious gifts from the. oversea dominions ; but must be prepared ourselves' to lay ' down, eight Dreadnoughts and continue the p:ocess annually until our supremacy is indisputably established." The Lord Mayor of Bristol has declined .to receiye a Navy League deputation in. favour of calling a meeting to-support a strong Naval policy, declaring that as a vote of censure was being /discussed .the question was a political one.