BRITISH NAVAL ESTIMATES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12710, 22 March 1911, Page 5

BRITISH NAVAL ESTIMATES.

DEBATE IN HO USE' OF COMMONS

AHMED -MERCHANTMEN.

(United Press Association .—Copyright.;

Received March 21, 10.15 p.m

LONDON, March 21

In tho Honsa of Commons, during tho Navy Estimates debate, Lord Bercsford declared that Germany had 33 capital ships in 1907 and probably 58 since. Sho imusfc CQiitinu-c* building owing to the .money invested in yards and armament factories and the number of workmen in employment. Thirtycm now British cvusiers were) required to cope with;thfe merchant ships.A^hich other nations claimed the right to arm.

Mr Me-Kenna asserted that there was a pos.sib ility of Lord Bero: ford's contentions being correct, but Britain did not admit the claim. Consequently Britain must await events. If the merchant ships; referred to wfra commissioxtod, Britain would prov? fully equal to the emergency. It. would be time to consider how to act when the* emergency arose.