DECLARATION OF LONDON

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13416, 1 July 1911, Page 5

DECLARATION OF LONDON

MR. McKENNA ON ADMIRALS. PROTEST BY LORD BERESFORD. Britain’s Great Danger. Press Association.—Telegraph.—Copyright. Received July 1, 9.40 a.m. LONDON, Juno 30. In the House of Commons, the Eight Hon. E. McKenna, First Lord of the Admiralty said that of 120 Admirals against the Declaration, 65 had been promoted after retirement, 27 others had never been employed, only 23 had' hoisted their flags as Admirals, and only 11 had administrative experience as Admirals, which tho public hastily (supposed was attached to the whole list. Lord Charles Beresford protested against the sneers against tue Admirals. He said that Britain’s great danger was sudden attack by converted merchant ships. The crows of such vessels, armed with a couple of 12-pouuders, could strike terror into tho hearts of shipowners. If the food supply were cut for even a short time there would be a panic, possibly a revolution. If the declaration were ratified 100 small cruisers ought immediately to be laid down. The Eight Hon. Sir Rufus Isaacs, Attor-ney-General, said it was important to boar in mind that the Declaration was not meant to deal with the right of belligerents inter se. The general public did not realise this. The debate was adjourned.