BRITAIN'S MARGIN OF SUPERIORITY.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13645, 10 February 1913, Page 5

BRITAIN'S MARGIN OF SUPERIORITY.

mt^ CHURCHILL'S INVITATIONS

(Received Feb. 9 h 5.5 p.m.),

London, Eeb. 8

,Tho "Daily Mail," quoting Mr. Winston January /speech in further qualification of his speech, made in1; July, 1912, with reference 'to-the Cahiadian ships: and also to the eventuality of a Mediterranean Power undertaking a considerable programme, says: Hence the sixty per,cent, superiority asked.for, in his speech applied to the past,, -and Jiotto the! presejit,^)E. future. Con^queritly Britain's programme is subject to alteration if the Mediterranean Powers increased their fleets as" they are now doing.-

The "Daily Mail" adds that if Admiral yon Tirpitz accepts the ratio with 1-qualifications, -the - first step j towards, a. ■betten relation has been taken, but on the present programmes. ;the British margin of Dreadnoughts in 1916 willonly be fifty per cent, if the Dominion .ships are not counted. :■>;.■

The ' 'Daily Telegraph!^' Berlin eorrespo^iideilt -say's the"1 statements made in the Reichstag are calculated to strengthen the erroneous German :impressidn that Mr. Winston Churchill "oiffere<l.ii sixteen: |fghips;for ;iiine.^ AdnuraF vonVTirpife I wpxiljd doubtiess "like; to tie B-ritaitr'to ;Isii6b (i V '%'■'■ 'ratio^v birfc'J wheh\ the 'British' f i>readnoughts are obsolescent; and. tlte ratio ie« altered, there ■ will be;^:an,.okbr' cry demaiiding a.further Navy Bill. Apart-'from Admiral yon Torpitz'e'wiliingnee® to accept the ratio,it* will! be; some time .before Germany- is ripe for,' anothef naVal project.; The people's, shbnlders are sore from their last burdens and the high, price of necessaries. Moreover,; it. will bo difficult to squeeze out five millions annually under the now •:Army-Bill:\,;v :-■/.";[ \ -;rr ;.-

?■.'/ "The " Berlhf: correspwdent declares that Admiral yon Tirpitz merely made a declaration that Germany does not intend to make a fresh spurt;. No agreement liad been made, and no~ negotiations begun.