IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2454, 19 March 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

THE NAVAL ESTEWAXES. NEWSPAPER OPINION. United Press Association —Copyright. LONDON, March 17. The Navy debate created a profound 'sensation in the country'. The ‘‘Daily News” reluctantly supports the Estimates.. It.argues that the entente between Britain, France, and Russia dominates tlje European situation, and explains that Germany’s fears meanwhile cause disastrous competition, which means to ns,an increase of taxaion, possibly the beggaring of social reform.

The "Chronicle” declares that the question is no longer whether the Ministers are justified in proposing -so much, but rather whether they are justified in not proposing more.

The "Times” notes Mr Asquith's renewed pledge, and hints that this may ultimately entail the enlarging of the present Estimates. It adds: "German dockyards and factories are working night and day, the Government in some ca.se/> pay big 2d per cent, above the original estimates.”

The" “Westminster Gazette” states that the Government's frank statement of Germany’s acceleration trill ensure the unanimity of its supporters. The “Pall Mall Gazette” says: “'Austria is laying clown DreadnQV«s*ts, and Austria’s navy in future must be reckoned part of the German navy.” DEBATE IN THE COMMONS. OPINION IN GERMANY. (Received March 18, 9.35 p.m.) United Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, March 18. The profound effect produced by the naval statement in London is re-echoed in the provinces. ■» The Unionist papers insist on the extra Dreadnoughts' being put on the slips immediately. The Radical papers admit that it is necessary for the Government to have a free hand, but complain that ■-social reform has been set back. In the House of- Commons Major Arthur Lee (Conservative member for the' Fareham Division of Hampshire) said that the nation demanded that the Government should at once order the other Dreadnoughts. The employees at Krupps’ works had been increased by 38,000 last year. All the trouble was due to the Government not carrying out Lord Cawdor’s programme. Dr. Macnamara, secretary of the Local Government Board, dwelt on the value of pre-Dreadnought battleships. Mr. J. Dillon (Irish) and Mr. ,A. Henderson (Labor) accused the Government of pandering to the. panicmongers. BERLIN, March 18. The naval debate in the House of Commons has aroused great interest in Germany. The press, however, is sparing of comment. The “Neueste Nachrichten,” the organ of the Navy League, is incensed at Germany informing Britain as to her rate of const* nation, and characterises supplying this infory, as regrettable weakness.

STATEMENT BY THE GERMAN " MINISTER Of MARINE. MR. McKENNA’S FIGURES ATTACKED.. -V. > . (Received March 18, 11.13 p.m.) United Press Association— Copyright. BERLIN, March 18. Admiral Yon Tirpitz, German ter of Marine, stated in the Reichstag that in the autumn of 1912 Germany would have only 13 Dreadnoughts and Tnvineiblcs. He did not know on wlia*. ground Mr.; McKenna arrived at a- larger figure. No proposal for disarmament had been made to Germany.