The Naval Situation.

Progress, Volume IV, Issue 7, 1 May 1909, Page 223

The Naval Situation.

What the chances may be of war or peace it is perhaps difficult to say exactly. But one thing is certain. It is that if war does come from the side of Germany it will not come for some years. So much is evident from the figures published in another column which show that Germany has not at present any Dreadnoughts in the water, or rather had not last October, and does not hope to be equal with Great Britain for some time after the equipment of the first Dreadnought of her programme. If war comes within that time, it must come from Britain on the ground that the enemy must be scotched before he grows up to equal fighting condition. This might have been done and done readily by such statesmen as Chatham. Palmerston, or even Salisbury or Beaconsfield. But with the present administration it is unthinkable. The German explanation (published elsewhere in this issue") of the situation would be a provocative to men differently pledged. Britain is not thinking of attacking Germany, never thought it possible that war could arise with Germany on any pretext. Yet the German apologist accounts for the accelerated programme of German building on Dreadnought lines, by explaining that it is Germany's object to deter Britain by a display of force from attacking the innocent German lambkins frisking about so prettily among the dockyards, and the sand dunes of the coast. To statesmen of the old downright stamp this would be the same as insolently cynical confession of aggressive intentions at the proper time. The men at the head of the .'Japanese nation who showed their initiative under heavy responsibility in 1904, would have replied with a squadron bombarding the enemy's fleet off Kiel. It is fortunate for us that a less sensitive government is in power. But it may not be so fortunate for the next generation.