The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1909. LABOR AND THE DREADNOUGHTS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2064, 31 March 1909, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1909. LABOR AND THE DREADNOUGHTS

It appears to be a-settled policy with the Labor party in most parts of the ■world to endeavor to embarrass the ruling auhorities as much as possible, and particularly is this- the case when any proposals in regard to military or naval matters are up for discussion. Thus it is quite in accordance with custom that the Labor party in England should oppose with all its power the proposals for a shipbuilding programme that will place the Empire in an absolutely safe position. Mr. Keir Hardie voices the opinions' of the trades unionists when he declares that the present movement is simply the result of a “scare,” and with naive simplicity he adds that 25 members of the Labor party are going to Germany at Whitsuntide to tell the Germans- —“You and we have no quarrel.” As for the alleged “scare,” there have been an abundance of facts adduced in the recent discussion in the British Parliament to show that Germany is doing something more than “mere talking” in preparing for a pos : sible war with Great Britain. If any collateral proof were needed of the strong hand that- Germany holds and intends to play, it is shown clearly in th& manner in which she lias bluffed Europe into acquiescing in the Illegal annexation by Austria of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The English press is

speaking very plainly on this subject. The Loudon “Tmes” says, “Germany lias taken advantage of Russia’s unpreparedness to put the pistol to her head,” whilst the “Daily Mail” declares that “the Austro-German victory has been secured by the fierce use of the mailed fist, and that the two German Powers, with 11 million men and 20 Dreadnoughts building thwarted the triple entente by sheer weight of arms.” In this case wo find that the Treaty of Berlin, an agreement that was looked upon as absolutely binding upon all parties to it, was violated in the most barefaced manner by Austria who, when -an outcry was raised by ail Europe, was backed up by Germany. At first the latter nation professed to take an impartial attitude as -merely ne of the other Powers , desirous ot maintaining international peace, but gradually she showed more of her hand, and finally, as we have seen, she bluntly told Russia, who was acting as guardian over the Slav interests, that slie had better give a peace-able sanction to the shameful compact or else look to her own safety. This, then, being the spirit of German diplomacy, what is to be expected if she Should once secure or believe she had secured a fleet strong cnonugh to defeat that of Britain? After tlie debate in the House of Commons it was. .known all over, the Empire that unless England’s shipbuilding programme- were greatly accelerated she would bo,'.outpaced by Germany, so far as Dreadnoughts u eie concerned, in a very few years. Germany is not making such frantic efforts to build a mighty navy for the purpose of defence. It i;> an open secret in Europe that the Gorman navy is intended for. no other. .purpose than to challenge Britain, in the English Channel; and to dismiss the- extraordinary A- si v •' vrrtrJe."'H-V , ’ v> ’ x '»s. ..."j'JKI

progress that she is making by. describing it as a “scare” is" foolish and ridiculous. So far as Mr. Keir Hardie’s proposed verb’ to Germany with 25 Laborites in order' to promote, peace is concerned nothing but good can be said of it. The visit last year of a number of British journalists was a capital idea well conceived and splendidly carried out. Likewise effective was the visit to Berlin of King Edward \ r IL Anything which will tend to bring about a better' understanding between these two rival peoples should be encouraged to the utmost. Aw a matter of fact, we believe the masses of Germany are entirely opposed to any Avar Avitli their neighbors the British, but, as avo have pointed out frequently, Avars are rarely the outcome of a deliberate desire on the part of the people of the opposing nations. In almost very case the outbreak of hostilities is t-lie result of a diplomatic deadlock or a Avilful breach of peace conditions by the rulers of one or the other. Once give Germany ia fleet the equal in strength of the Britsh, and there is little doubt that in the present condition of affairs the Kaiser and his advisers Avould find little difficulty in picking a quarrel; and before the German people, of Avhose peaceful intentions Mr. Hardie is so sanguine, had time to realise what was happening, they Avould find themselves embarked upon a gigantic and disastrous Avar. This constant cry of Laborite-s and Socialists for economy in military and .naval expenditure is apt to become nauseating. They have no Avarrant for posing as the only seekers after, peace, and, as a matter of fact, if their vieurs were given effect to it is more than probable the world Avould quickly be involved in the most sanguinary Avar that history has ever recorded. • Others besides Mr. Hardie and his friends desire peace and justice, but as the. London “Times” mentioned the other day, the British naA'y has many a time stood between contending parties when, but for its possible intervention, grave injustice and possibly Avar would have ensued. President, RooseA r elt admirably summed up the position some years ago when outlining the policy of the American nation. He said: “I believe jn peace, but I also like to carry a big stick.” Similarly if Britain desires to stand as the powerful centre of a mighty Empire protecting her own interests, and at the same time helping to maintain the bailee of affairs in the interests of international peace, it is essential that she shall carry a stick big enough to enforce her own rigluw as°a nation. The moment some other PoAver has a bigger stick, she is liable to immediately lose her position and at the same time her power for good.