DANGER' FREE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10923, 12 November 1913, Page 4

DANGER' FREE.

HOW BRITAIN STANDS. NAVY STRONGEST EVER AND NO WAR SIGNS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, November 11. At the Guildhall banquet there was a brilliant company, including the Hon T Mackenzie. Mr Winston Churchill, responding to the toast of "The Imperial Forces," said that next year they would have 150,000 sailors and marines, the largest number on record. Although at present they were freer from danger to European peace than they were some years ago there imist be no relaxation. Germany's unbroken development of building and the efforts of other Powers required that Britain should make more expenditure and exertion than yet had been made in peace time, therefore the estimates for 1914 would be considerably greater. Nevertheless the Government would strive for an abatement of a competition which " was a bane and reproach to modern Europe. Britain's submarine service was double that of the next strongest Power. He did not fear comparison with other countries in the matter of seaplanes, but the time had not yet come to supplant Dreadnoughts by submarines and aircraft. It also was necessary if Britain were to become the first nation in aircraft superiority that they should make up their minds to the necessary outlay. BRITAIN'S FOREIGN RELATIONS. THE BALKAN CONFLICT. Mr Asquith, replying to the toast of " The Government," said that the Balkan conflict happily had ceased. ! Things had been done beyond the inevitable horrors of war which had [ shocked and repelled the whole of the | oivilised world. Although the Powers [ had shown themselves impotent to pre- ' vent or curtail the bloodshed a satisfactory- feature was that the area had been circumscribed. The Powers had much to do in connection with Albania. He was gratified that Asia Minor had not been involved in the conflict. If invited Britain would gladly assist Asia Minor development. The Government was anxious to see a stable Government established in China. Referring to Mexico, he said the most that Britain could do was to protect lives and property in the ooastal regions. The statement that Britain had adopted a policy deliberately opposed to that of the United States was absolutely unfounded. In recognising Huerta the Government felt that he alone appeared able to restore order. Nothing could happen to disturb the friendly relations with the United States.