DEMAND FOR CRUISERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 July 1925, Page 7

DEMAND FOR CRUISERS.

ULTIMATUM OF SEA LORDS. FIGHT AGAINST OUTLAY, COMPROMISE EFFORTS MADE By Telegraph.—Press Assn.- -Copyright. Received July 21, 7.50 p.m. London, July 20. The Daily Express lobbyist says that the Admiralty has sprung a .surprise on the Government by peremptorily demanding that four cruisers be laid down immediately as a minimum. The Cabinet meeting was postponed. The Premier (Mr. Stanley - Baldwin) is using the strongest efforts to arrange a compromise. The Sea Lords, in effect, told the Government that if it did not give the navy these ships, it must relieve'the Sea'Lords of part of their responsibility, for without the cruisers they could not guard the Empire, ■ It seemed clear to-night that Cabinet did not intend to give in to the Admiralty. Mr, Winston Churchill (Chancellor of the Exchequer), who is fighting against the increased expenditure, has all the old Tories against him, but the young Conservative® support economy, and would even welcome Admiralty resignations, on the ground that real naval economy is impossible under the present regime. The Morning Post’s political correspondent says Mr. Churchill is repoi-ted to be stubborn against laying down more than two cruiser's this year and two or three next year. It Is generally believed that if he is supported by Mr. Baldwin the resignations of Mr. W. 0. Bridgeman (First Lord of the Admiralty) and the Admiralty Board will follow. The Morning Post, in an editorial headed “Plot in the Cabinet,” says: “It is impossible to suppose that either Mr. Churchill or hi® allies eare very much whether five or fifty cruisers or none are ordered, bit if Mr. Bridgeman can be forced to resign the credit of Mr. Baldwin’s Ministry would receive a deadly blow and events might be so guided that Mr. Baldwin himself would resign, In which case a coalition would again be forced on the country.” The Morning Post’® editorial expresses the opinion that Mr. Baldwin will uphold Mr. Bridgeman. The Premier cannot possibly contemplate a dangerous weakening of the navy.