NAVAL POLICY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10416, 21 March 1912, Page 2

NAVAL POLICY.

MR CHURCHILL'S SPEECH

GERMAN' CRITICISM. United Press Association—By Electric

Telegraph—Copyright. (Received -March 21, 10 a.m.)

LONDON, March 20,

A Berlin message says that the Gorman Press comment on the speech of Mr Winston Churchill in the House of Commons on the naval policy of Britain is generally unfavourable. The papers resent the presumption of instruction to Germany on her naval necessities. Tho " KreuK Zeitung'' states that the kernel of the speech is that England mainly builds to prevent Germany's further expansion as a world power. The journal is willing to consider a diplomatic, agreement to limit the building in a. given year in tho proportion of two to one. The " Vossiche Zeitung" says that Englishmen overlook tho fact that Germany has other considerations than Britain.

The "Tageblatt" sAys that the resistance of Admiral von Tirpitz, Minister of Marine, prevented the Chancellor and tho Minister for Foreign Affairs from expressing in the Navy Bill their desire for an understanding with Britain, which the Ivaiser also desires.

The " Koelnischo Zeitung" declares that the pessimistic views expressed in Mr Churchill's speech are not shared in official quarters and are not regarded as a challenge, nor was tho speech intended to impede pending negotiations. FRENCH PRESS CRITICISM.

The French Press applauds Mr Churchill's frankness.