CABLE NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2456, 22 March 1909, Page 5

CABLE NEWS.

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

THE NAVAL CRISIS.

PERTINENT CRITICISM OF THE

GOVERNMENT

United Press Association —Copyright

LONDON, March 19.

In the House of Commons Mr. Austin Chamberlain continued the Naval debate. Ministers, lie said, had been living in a fool’s paradise a year ago. They had no security that their judgment was better now, and in any case the margin was dangerously narrow. They liad been forgetful of such a contingency as a shipbuilding strike.

Mr. Boner Law insisted that it was essential to immediately lay down the Dreadnoughts promised for April. Mr. McKenna, First Lord of the Admiralty, said the coming battleships would be 30 per cent better than the Dreadnoughts. -

Mr. Balfour, noticing that Mr. McKenna avoided a direct promise that four Dreadnoughts would be laid down in April, taxed Mr. Asquith, who promised this if acceleration of the German programme was continued. The Opposition strongly objected to a qualified promise. Ms. Asquith, evidently referring to Admiral Von Tirpitz’s statement, said: “Certain declarations have filled me with surprise. I await further explanation.” THE COUNTRY AWAKENING. ___ to INQUIRY INTO ADMIRALTY ADMINISTRATION ASKED FOR. LONDON, March 19. A number of Peers and Commoners have signed a requisition ashing the Prime Minister (Mr. Asquith) to make inquiry into the administration of the Admiralty. Meetings are organising in the city and Liverpool in- connection with the naval crisis. AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE FOR THE GERMANS. SECRET SHIPBUILDING REVEALED. LONDON, March 19. • The “Times” recalls Krupps’ loan published on July 23rd, 1908, which proves that Germany’s order to accelerate the building of the battleships was 1 given’ in April, not October. .

The “Standard’s” Berlin correspondent reports that Mr. Asquith’s statement that the Admiralty had ascertained what had happened almost immediately after the German battleships were begun was an unpleasant surprise to the German authorities, who ha* no idea that secrets were so inefficiently guarded. Elaborate precautions had previously been taken; to conceal the extent of the shipbuilding operations. COMMONWEALTH MINISTER’S OPINION. THE MOST SERIOUS SITUATION OF THE CENTURY. MELBOURNE, March 20. The Federal Minister for Defence, referring to the naval situation, said it was the most serious situation British statesmen had had to lace during tlio last century.

A GOOD SUGGESTION.

BUY BRAZIL’S DREADNOUGHTS

(Received March 21, 4.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 20.

Tfic “Spectator” declares that England has been living in -a naval fool’s paradise. Many newspapers suggest that Britain should purchase Brazil's three Dreadnoughts now being completed at Els wick and Barrow. Naval experts assert that the pi esent is an exceptionally opportune time for laying down new ships. Material is cheap, crews are out of employment, and several great firms would he glad to keep their plant running and their workmen together for the smallest maigin of profit.

A GERMAN BOAST. NAVAL EXPERT’S DECLARATION. (Received March 21, 4.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 20. Berlin papers publish details of night and day work in .extensions at Wilhclmshafen (the chief naval port of Germany), and declares that within a lew months it will cupersede Kiel. All the Dreadnoughts and Invincibles under construction will be stationed at 1 helmshafen. Count Reventlow, naval expert, states that Mr. Asquith is in error regarding .Germany’s assurance that she would not / accelerate construction. Count Reventlow boasts that Germany s shipbuilding is capable of more rapid progress. ■ - Prince Von Billow, Chancellor, and Herr Von'Schon, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, refused to attend the Budget Committee, the members of which are demanding an explanation of the discrepancies between Admiral Tirpitz’S' and' Mr. McKenna’s statement iegarding’Germany’s rate of naval construction. / Canadian and Cape Colony newspapers arc impressed with the gravity, o the, naval disclosures. •

AN OPPOSITION MOVE.

A MOTION OF CENSURE. . '• (Received March 21, 4 p.m.) LONDON, March 20

In the House of Commons Mr. A. J. Galfour gave notice of a motion of censure on the ground that the immediate provision of battleships of the newest type proposed by. the Government is insufficient to secure the safety of the Empire. 'I The Cabinet held* 'a meeting . last night lasting two and a half hours, and considered the developments in connection with the' naval situation. Several newspapers regret Mr. Balfour’s motion, and consider it will drag the question into political strife, but the course is deemed inevitable. OPINIONS OF BRITISH ADMIRALS. A LIBERAL MOVE—POLITCAL MEETINGS. (Received March' 21, 4 p.m.) LONDON, March 20. Admiral O. O. Penrose Fitzgerald®angrily demands what the Naval Intelligence Department has been doing to be unaware of Germany’s spurt till some Imonths late. Admiral Kennedy advocates building two vessels; to every one built by Germany, and points out that if Britain spends 50 millions it would be a fleabite compared to invasion. Many political meetings in the provinces demand the immediate construction of Dreadnoughts only if Germany accelerates her building. FEELING IN VICTORIA.;COMMONWEALTH PRE—US DECLARATION. (Received March 21, 4 p.m.) MELBOURNE, March 20. The newspapers support the suggestion that in view of the acute naval position Australia should present the Imperial Government with a Dreadnought. Mr. Fisher, Commonwealth Premier, states that the Federal Government quite appreciate the idea, though he does not desire to express an opinion upon it. He added that all the resources of the Commonwealth would be at the disposal of the Imperial authorities in case of a diffic-ylty with any Power. BRITISH MINISTERIALIST SPEECHES. DISCONCERTED LIBERALS. (Received' March 21, 4.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 20. Many Ministerialist speeches have been delivered in the provinces. Mr. J. Runciman, President of the Council of Education, declared that it would be. folly to build many years ahead. He regretted the construction of the first Dreadnought. The Hon. A. W. Murray, Master of Elibanks; Junior Liberal Whip, said the first Dreadnofffht had led to wild competition. The Conservatives must bear the blame, nevertheless the Liberals were determined to maintain** the superiority of the navy at all costs.

Mr. C. P. Trevelyan, Parliamentary Secretary of the Board of Education, said the country was on the. verge oi a panic stimulated by exaggeration. Colonel Seeley, Under-Secretary for the Colonies, pointed out that if the Dreadnought was beaten we still have other war vessels.

THE MELBOURNE SUGGESTION.

THE “TIMES” POINTS OUT THE

COLONIES’ DUTY

(Received March 21, 4.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 20

The “Times” 1 says that the suggestion of the Melbourne papers that Australia should present a Dreadnought to the Imperial Government will be welcomed. The spirit prompting it cv-i deuced the solidarity of the British race. Although England must be prepared to- maintain her supremacy in the North Sea, alone, we count upon our dominions taking a share in the necessities growing in almost every sea. THE GENERAL STAFF SCHEME. SOUTH AFRICA SYMPATHETIC. (Received March 21, 4.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 20. The Government of South Africa express sympathy with the Impel ial general staff scheme, but informed Mi. Haldane that nothing is possible in the shape of adopting it pending ledeiation.