CRUISE IN A SUBMARINE.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13413, 10 May 1912, Page 5

CRUISE IN A SUBMARINE.

(Received May 9, 11.30 p.m.)

London, May 9

Mr Balfour and Mr Winston Churchill cruised in submarine D 3 below the surface at Weymouth.

EXERCISES DELAYED BY FOG

A WONDERFUL HYDROPLANE

SIR ASQUITH ON THE ARMAMENT WAR.

BRITAIN MUST NOT NEGLECT DEFENCE.

(Received May 10, 0.30 a.m.)

London, May 9

A fog necessitated the abandonment of the fleet exercises yesterday, including the night torpedo manoeuvres.

The King inspected the principal ships.

A -featxire of the manoeuvres was the triumph of a naval hydroplane, S4l, •which possesses wonderful stability, rises and alights equally as well on land as on water and is able to remain in the air seven, hours, maintaining a speed of 55 miles per hour. It is also possible to drop 300 pounds of high explosive. The hydroplane is fitted with wireless.

The Admiralty has decided to increase the number of hydroplanes to 25.

Mr Asquith, speaking at the Bankers' Association, said he had been inspecting the fleet, and it suggested the thought that if the gigantic expenditure entailed was some day diverted to more fruitful channels it would release the world of an incubus, and leave it resting in some of its best aspirations, but while the world remains in its present temper Britain cannot neglect her defence against aggression. The British debt had increased by £65,000,000 since 1006; Germany's had increased by £83,----000,000; and Australia's by £112,000,----000 (?") for the Batn« "<n-k)d. Accom-

panymg trade activity there were signs in the industrial sky warning people against complacent optimism. The duty of the Government and the business community was to solve the problem of the recurrence of strikes.