IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2567, 30 July 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

the conference proceeding. NEWFOUNDLAND NAVAL RESERVES.. "United Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, July 28. Mr Asquith outlined- the Goverr''lkcnt’s proposals at the Defenco Conference sittings, which are strictly prirate. General Botha is unwell and unable to attend the early sittings of the Conference. The newspapers in Newfoundland declared that twice or thrice the present ; Admiralty maximum of 600 naval reserve men couM easily enlist if the Ad- ■ uniralty wish.

A DESTROYER’S EXPLOIT. RUSHES A BOOM. LONDON, July 28. The Ferret, a destroyer, fitted with a steel-cutting invention, easily rushed a large boom of timber, spikes and a wire hawser at full speed in Portsmouth harbor. It was a remarkable exploit. Air McKenna, Air Haldane, and General Nicholson were present. THE NEW DREADNOUGHTS. GERMAN COMMENTS. BERLIN, July 28. German comments on the debate concerning the four Dreadnoughts show a determination not to recognise the necessity for British supremacy of the sea. The Liberal proposals for a limitation of armaments are interpreted as an attempt to maintain supremacy without incurring additional expenditure.

THE DISARMAMENT PROPOSALS. A GERAIAN ANSWER. (Received July 29, 9.30 p.m.) BERLIN, July 29. The “Vossiche Zeitung,” commenting on the British Government’s proposals for limitation of armaments, declares that such negotiations are only l>ossible between equals. THE MOTTO OF THE DEFENCE CONFERENCE. J “THE EAIPIRE—ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.” (Received July 29, 11.15 p.m.) The Duke of Devonshire presided at an enthusiastic inaugural banquet of the British Empire Club, in the Guildhall. There were 400 guests, including Lords Crewe, Northcote, Strathcona, Kintore, Curzon, Brassey, Onslow, Lamington, and Beresford, the Premiers of Natal and Cape Colony, Mes- . srs J. Smuts and J. Hofmeyer, and a number of representative Australians. Mr. Haldane, in propsing' the toast of the Defence Conference, mentioned that the Prime Alinister had given stringent injunctions to all members to keep strict silence, but he was able to say tka the -working out of the problems of defence was founded on the highest strategy, and must be done by means of consultation between the Empire’s sailors, soldiers, and statesmen. Only one maxim could he laid down on the question of defence, namely—The British Empire, one and indivisible. On that maxim the attention of the conference ivould be concentrated. Thdy Tccognised that the command of the seas must -come, in the first place. Then the Empire must have an army of long range, suitablo to. deal with problems at long range. He gave the toast in full hope as to tlie results of the conference.

Sir Joseph Ward, the Hon. L. I*. Brodeur (Canada), Colonel .Foxton (Australia), and the Hon. C. G. Smith (South Africa) replied. COLONIAL OPINIONS. -Silt JOSEPH WARD'S AND COLONEL FOXTON’S VIEWS. (Received July 29, 11.40 p.m.) Sir Joseph Ward said that they regarded the conference as one of the greatest moment to all portions of the Empire. The delegates entered it with open minds, and with the purpose, in tlio first instance, of assisting in improving naval defence. He emphasised the desire of the overseas Dominions to take a share of the burden of 'lmperial defence. He hoped for some •system which would make for the betterment of the land of which they were •all so proud. Colonel Foxton declared - that the -delegates were there to see to what extent it was possible to strengthen the striking power of the Empire. Should the necessity arise, Australia would be prepared to contribute her men, money, and resources to the very last, to take a due share in maintaining the Empire’s integrity and supremacy on the oceans of the world. He compared the Empire to ’a bundle of sticks. In order to secure the full strength of combination they must be straight sticks. The great value of the conference was for so welding the various defence systems of the different parts of the Empire, that the; whole strength .could be welded as one bundle of Australia had done ,what she • could to inaugurate, maintain, and develop a force on land sufficient to repel attack. She had also done... some-tlMg-to contribute towards the cost of fleet, but she also desired to he able to provide something in the shape of an Australian navy, perhaps, small at the outset, which should become an integral portion of the naval armament of the Empire. Australia in ‘25 years would have something to offer for defence, which would be worth con-

CABLE NEWS.

sideration. The idea that separation would follow the overseas Dominions’ establishing their own navies was absolutely unthinkable. Australia was heart and soul with the Empire through thick and thin. THE DEFENGE~CONFERENCE. THE “PALL-MALL GAZETTE’S” ' VIEWS. LONDON, July 29. After Air. Asquith’s opening speech at the Defence Conference, the delegates brifly .replied in turn, expressing Thanks for the cordiality of their reception.

The coming debates concerning the co-ordination of naval -and military plans will bo largely in the hands of experts. The “Pall Alall Gazette” says that the conference is fraught with important consequences to future interimperial relations. The conference has been quietly and unobtrusively organised. Its me mb era are few, but the issues involved are momentous beyond anything submitted to previous gatherings, and embrace not only the question of the defence of the Dominions, hut, it may he, the maintenance of the tie binding the dependent States to the Alotlierland. tfnless the subject is handled firmly, delicately, and sympathetically by the Home Government, there will be a danger that the tie may fail to meet the strain of a young, vigorous, independent spirit, seeking to work out the salvation of its native land, unfettered by the shackles of the unsympathetic bond of a centralised Government. It must not be sought to impose restrictions upon local naval and military organisation. There should ' he*uniformity of training, but no dominating control from the centre. The touchstono of success will probably be found in interchange.