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Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12497, 25 March 1909, Page 3

According to Vice-Admiral Sir Percy Scott, who is visiting South American ports- with the British -cruiser squadron, the i matter .of coastal . defencejs sqlved by. the submarine. In the course"of : an interview at Monte Video Sir Percy said :"""With two modern submarines there are no battlef slips in the world that could get within a radius" of 60 miles. The only expenditure necesary for the most perfect system- .of coast defence would consist of the cost of two submarines and the depots to keep them in.". He went on to say that the great battleship is necessary ihtheihighest degree for purposes of attack or ; where, distant colonies arelto be protected, but where itis only a question of coast,defence the submarines answer purpose." At Portsmouth, for., instance, submarines; are -used to guard the coait instead of %& continual building of. forts, for the -submarine possesses the double advantage of .being- mobile : ajid comparatively inexpensiTe,^