THE NAVIES

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 16799, 1 April 1919, Page 9

THE NAVIES

DISTRIBUTION OF BRITISH NAVY THE LESSONS OF THE WAR. ► >,• Australian.and N.Z. Cofcla Am. '" LONDON, March 29. The after-war distribution of, the Navy, will-be :JHome Fleet, and seven squai; rons stationed in.the" Atlantic, 4L West' > • Sdttth ,§pu% Anyßrica,' ; East' Indies, and Med'iter-' rariean.' " '■ ' "" *,'." Sir David ,Beatty, replying ', to • the, presentation of the Freedom of Liverpool, said the Navy had learned many lesjoMV during the war; ■ "We must see that those lessons are taken to heart so that' we shall not again, have to face a great crisis with improvised' 1 methods. Such economies as ..retrenchment requires must be applied wisely, with a proper understanding of future problems, in the light of ,e x » pcrience gained in the' wars." .WHAT OF GERMANY'S SHIPS?■» QUESTION OF "THE DISPOSAL. - r "•' -PARIS, "March' 29. •Sir Rosslyn Wemyss,- Admiral _Be n : sqh and Mr Josephus Daniels conferred regarding the disposition of the German warships. No.decision was reached. AN AMERICAN MEMORANDUM.; VARIOUS VIEWS. NEW YORK, March 28. The "New York Times" Paris message reports that an American memorandum regarding tbe disposition of the German navy will be presented to tlie Peace pongress, and will probably i be adopted. •The Americans tacitly favour the sinking of the German ships. They ffeciare that an increase of riaval.-strength in European waters is unnecessary, Hecause the German naval menace has been removed. They also oppose the: destributidn of the captured navy, pointing out that if distribution is basedOoti.naval losses, the 'largest share would be given to Britain,'which would necessitate-a greatly increased United States naval outlay to enable the United States to maintain a navy equalling Britain's. The Americans contend tliat it is essential that the United States should have a navy equal to Britain's, because the League of Nations must be strong enough if necessary to restrain its . strongest member. ; The American view is that any reduction of the United States naval strength would weaken the UrtJted States' influence in world affairs, and limit lier ability to render service io the-League of Nations. j. It is also asserted that the sub- ; marines of all nations must be destroyed. The memorandum adds that high British officers have justified Germany's U-boat warfare, on the grounds of military -necessity.