IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2571, 4 August 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

GRAVE CHARGE AGAINST THE ADMIRALTY. ALLEGED WITHHOLDING OF INFORMATION FROM GOVERNMENT. United Piucss Association—Copyright. (Received August 3,, 9.55 p.m.) LONDON, August 3. Mr. Miullener, late director of the ••■Coventry ordnance works, in a letter to the “Times,” states that he, in May, 1906, informed the Admiralty of the whole scheme and object of Krapp’s extensions. Finding his communication ignored, he took steps to inform the Government, which was thus first aware last autumn of Germany’s special activity. The letter implies that the Admiralty withheld information from the Government. THE PROBABILITY OF INVASION. SOUND CRITICISM BY THE “SPECTATOR.” (Received August 3, 10.20 p.m.) LONDON, August 3. The “Spectator” sharply criticises Hie Committee of Defence’s decision regarding the possibility of invasion. It remarks that the fleet is not supposed to ’‘nurse’ the army, and that by encouraging this belief, Mr. Haldane is encouraging the demand that the fleet should cuddle the British coasts in order to soothe the fears of old women of both sexes, The fleet must go where the highest strategy demands, and might be compelled to leave Homo waters, thus causing a temporary local loss of sea power, tempting the enemy to make a dash at our shores.