THE BRITISH NAVY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2459, 25 March 1909, Page 5

THE BRITISH NAVY.

CA BLE NEWS.

THE PRESENT CRISIS. BRITISH NEWSPAPERS c.\ T NEW ZEALAND’S OFFER. United Press Association— Copyright. LONDON, March "23. The “Chronicle,’ ’in a loading article headed “Party-made Panic,” dop'-rc-'■cates exaggerated alarm, but admits that after allowing for the value of a pre-Dread no ugl it fleet the maintenance of the superiority of Dreadnoughts Is a vital question for the future. The “Daily News” states: ‘‘.By 1912 there will certainly be thirteen ■Ge:r--men Dreadnoughts, possibly 'fifteen, but there cannot be more than seventeen. We shall certainly have ‘sixteen. The Government is prepared if necessary to increase the number to twenty. In the meanwhile New Zealand’s very handsome action should do something to "restore the shattered nerves df our Imperialists. The colonies enjoy the protection of the Navy, and this offer is an earnest of their readiness, should the burden increase, to take -a share of the cost, but it should not increase. There is no need to indefinitely'increase it.”

The “Standard,” in welcoming New Zealand’s noble gift, contrasts ;Sir Joseph Ward’s superb words, “If necessary two Dreadnoughts,” with Air. Asquith’s “If necessary,” grudgingly applied to conditional Dreadnoughts for April, 1910. The “Daily Mail” declared: “We shall gladly accept precious gifts from oversea dominions, but must be prepared ourselves to lay down eight Dreadnoughts, and continue the process annually until supremacy is indisputably established.” The “Star” commends Air. Asquith for smashing the artificial naval agitation.

The “Manchester Guardian” described Mr. Balfour’s censure as a war policy, and urges England, to treat the German professions as falsehoods. Unionist newspapers applaud the patriotic spirit prompting the Australasian offers. They argue: “The general feeling is that we ought not to need them, and if we have failed in our duty this is not the occasion whereon we ought to ask the colonies to come to heln us out.”

The papers indignantly deny that there is anything in the nature of a panic, but simply a -steady determination not to be outstripped in a vital competition. The “Morning Post'; ’declares: {'Australasia's splendid example will have a far-reaching effect in quickening the spirit and hardening the Alotlierland’s resolution to unflinchingly face the task before her.”

The- “Times,” remarking that the censure debate was virtually anticipated in yesterday’s debate on the Naval vote, warns Air. Asquith that an unscrupulous agitator referred to in his speech was clever enough to rouse the city into' indignation on tlie one hand, and on the other to cause New Zealand to offer one, even two, Dreadnoughts, and to evoke a striking demonstration of the daily-recorded sense of partnership in Imperial responsibilities in all the self-governing dominions. It- adds: ••The country aud Empire, by extraordinary unanimity, have- judged his measures inadequate.” PATRIOTIC LIBERAL M.P.’S. CANADA ROUSED BY AUSTRALASIA’S EXAMPLE. LONDON, Alarch 23. Continuing the Naval debate in the House of Commons, Air. Beauchamp and Air. A. C. Beck (Liberal member for Wisbech), urged the Government to include four conditional .Dreadnoughts in the 1909-1910 programme. Air. E. R. llidsdale (Liberal member for Brighton) emphasised the- grave anxiety over the length and breadth of the land. He said it was unfair to describe it as manipulated. If it cojjld be allayed at the cost of four more Dreadnoughts, he said, for heaven’s sake why not lay them down? (Opposition cheers.) In the House of Commons, Air. AlcKeima, First Lord of the Admiralty, in reply to Air. Lonsdale, member for Armagh, said the Government did not intend to make an offer for the Brazilian Dreadnoughts now building in England. ■ The Lord Alayor of Bristol declined to receive a Navy League deputation. He favored calling a meeting to .support a strong naval policy,-declaring that as a vote d? ce'nsure was (being discus-tod, the question was now a political one. : -. •/.

Lord- Plunket’s cablegram- containing Now Zealand’s offer of Dreadnoughts was immediately conveyed to the Tviiig, Mr. Asquith, and the Admiralty. ' < Prominent Canadians, stirred byAustralasia’s lead,, are raising -the question of offering a Dreadnought. T H£ CO MM 0 NWEALT H ‘ GOV ER NMENT’S INACTION. ' STRONG PATRIOTIC PUBLIC FF/EL- • ING IN AUSTRALIA. ' MELBOURNE," March 23. x The Federal Government has definitely decided not to offer a Dreadnought. Mr. Fisher made . the announcement after a meeting of Cabinet. He added that the Cabinet agreed with the action lie had already taken, and in spite of his previous nebulous statement he never' had any; intention of adopting the Dreadnought suggestion. Even: bedoio the scare broke out lie had mti--mnfred to' Lord Dudley, that ■■■ in the

event of emergency the rCfiblYrces of the Commonwealth wouTcl he immediately placed at the disposal of Britain. Whether this intimation had been transmitted to the Imperial authorities he did not know. The Imperial Government knew that our sympathy was so much with it that it was unnecessary to make- any special communication at present. It must be remembered that the presentation of a ’ Dreadnought l would not be policy, but a mere epasriiodic action and spectacular display. The only means, to meet any danger to the Empire would be by the adoption of a steady, persistent, deter mirntoi policy for the defence of Australia., combined with readiness to assist tine Aloth<er Country in the event of emergency. It was a matter of indifference to the Government whether the-refusal ‘was misunderstood or anisinteipreted.

Despite the Federal Government’s attitude, the proposed gift of a Dreadnought continues to receive enthusiastic- public support. New .’Zealand’s action has aroused a strong ’spirit of emulation. It is described nas a dazzling example of loyalty to British freedom, of splendid patriotism talid far-seeing statesmanship. PATRIOTIC RESOLUTION UP AUSTRALIAN NATIVES. • SYDNEY DREADX’OIiGHT FUND—AIAGNIFICENT DONATIONS. AIELBOURNE, Alarcli 23: At the annual conference of the Australian Natives’ Association, it was resolved that Parliament and people should unite in offering .a Dreadnought, while at the same time emphasising the necessity of proceeding with an Australian defence policy. The Association decided to contribute £250 from its funds if a presentation -list is opened. SYDNEY, Alarch 23. The Lord Alayor has* opened a Dreadnought Fund, heading it himself with a donation of £IOOO. Air. Anthony Hordern lias promised £IO,OOO towards a first Dreadnought, and a further £IO.OOO if a second is required. A leading city club gives £SOOO. Altogether over £-55„.000 was sub--scribed or promised within 24 hours. SYDNEY, March 24. The newspapers arc overflowing with letters for or against the presentation of a Dreadnought. The bulk are fervently enthusiastic, and laudatory of New Zealand’s example. The suggestions range from the gift of a battleship to a squadron. V NAPIER, Alarcli 24. The Napier Borough Council to-night passed a. motion heartily of the action of the Government in offering to- present a battleship to the Imperial Government. > NEW PLYMOUTH, Alarcli 24. The Borough Council, at a meeting to-night, passed a resolution approving the gift of a Dreadnought to Great Britain. WELLINGTON, Alarcli 24. Among the congratulatory messages received by the Premier are the following:—From Lord Onslow: “Your former Governor is proud of the lead tal# en in the Empire by tlim Dominion of New Zealand.” From Lord Ranfurly: “Hearty congratulations on magnificent offer of warship; effect excellent.” The Mayor (Air. W. D..Lysnar) last evening received the following telegram from the Prime Alinister, in reply to the resolution passed by the Borough Council on Tuesday evening: “Please accept vonrself and convey to the members of the Gisborne Borough Council my sincere appreciation of the hearty message of approval at the action of tlie Government. —J. G. Ward.”