NAVIES OF THE POWERS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13841, 1 March 1909, Page 5

NAVIES OF THE POWERS.

THE GERMAN SCHEME BRITISH ACTIMT\. Assouation-By Telegiaph-CopyUght LONDON, Feb. '26. There aic persistent leports as to Germany's naval shipbuilding being it) advance ot hei programme, and that woik is being further expedited The "Times" understands that two impiorcd Indomitables under the estimates of 1909 and 1910 will be hud down on the Clyde forthwith, and tlic construction expedrted. There is persistent Radical ac.ti\H> throughout the country against the Govei nmerrt's icported decision to build sin: Dreadnoughts. The " Chronicle" and the " Dailj News'' claim that the Cabinet is «n----hkelj to exxced four ~ships., reserving the nower to extend the programme. The "Chronicle" hints at floating a naval loan.

' OPINION OF LIBERALS. , Received l.lo' p.nf, Feb. 28th. - LONDON, Feb. 27. Sir Edward Evans, in presiding at a meeting of tbc general committee «>f the National Liberal Federation, said that they heard mupli about increases of armaments, but the Government would have to show good causo before the Liberals assented to an increase The Government's - policy of pewe throughout the world - was the st rugestpossible. Sir Edward Evans ad.i'tJ that if the Conservatives came mt» power now, there wotold be a frightful catastrophe, hardly exceeded by the Messina earthquake. After the rejection of an amend •:*. ir. from Lord Scarborough against a policy of unnecessary shipbuilding, a, resolution by the executive comn.ittse was unanimously adopted, reaffii'uiiic the principles of economy'in mvd'. »ii.< military expenditure. 'To ih'j vms added the following:—" The, committee cannot on the evidence at present before the country sec that a case has been established for the suggested increase of the naval expenditure." Commentins unonl the addition to the resolution, the "Daily News" wriljCb—"This refers, to the demand for sis Dreadnoughts in 1910, arid probably bix more in 1911. The federation's resolution, as we have reason to believe, has not only saved the Government from speedy disruption, but has maintained the £t;eat ideal of liberalism." The "Times,''' referring to the firmness shown by Mr Asquitb in dealing with the deputation from the Trades Union Congress, expresses a hope that the same attitude will unflinchingly be maintained iii the probable event of an open struggle in the party over the naval estimates. RULES OF WARFARE. Rereived 4.30 p.m., Feb. 23th. LONDON, Feb. 27. The Naval Conference has signed an important declaration consisting of 71 articles, embodying , recognised rules of warfare. - . -