IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2617, 27 September 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

DEBATES AT THE CONFERENCE

INTERCHANGE OF OFFICERS

United Press Association —Copyright. PERTH, Sept. 24. The Press Association’s London correspondent says:— An important subject connected with the .military question relates to the interchange of officers. The various dominions will be able to set up their own general staffs, and colonial officers will be interchanged with officers from the general staff at Home. This part of the subject is at present in a suggestive form only. The visit of Sir John French to Canada, of Lord Kitchener to New Zealand and Australia, will give shape to many of the suggestions which were under discussion by the conference respecting military matters. The interchange of officers, and to what extent it can he adopted, will be in the forefront of the discussion that will arise upon the visits' of those two officers.

POSSIBLE ENEMIES. Though organisation and co-ordina-tion were great topics under consideration at the recent conference, questions of strategy were not wholly excluded from some of the sittings. There were, of course, no war plans under review, but it was necessary to anticipate in what direction and under what conditions help could be mutually given. At present the Empire is on very good terms with Germany, but he would be a foolish Australian who would shut his eyes to ivliat is going on in New Guinea waters. The German place of arms which is there being established is not intended for a Teuton picnic.

Again, though Japan, is to-day our ally, and a very loyal ally, the deed of partnership will expire before many years are over. Japan (like Germany) requires an outlet for her population, and the northern parts of the Australian continent might prove very inviting to Japan if Japan were not our very good friend. Such a contingency applies also to the case of rejuvenated China, especially if China becomes able to rejuvenate herself at the same rate and with the same completeness that Japan has done. New Zealand may also some day have trouble with an invader.

AUSTRALIA AND INDIA. Probably these causes of anxiety are far off, but it is the duty of the army and navy to anticipate such events. It should not be a surprise therefore if such 'subjects as named were discussed by some of the delegates, and were present to the minds of others when deliberating upon a widespread scheme of Imperial defence. Prospective services of Australia to India, which would have been in the forefront of such deliberations before the present Angilo-Russian entente wa s set up, can now be placed in the background. The security of India has also been made mare complete by the defensive schemes of Lord Kitchener, but the existing relations with Russia may not last many years. Russia is forced to be quiet to-day because the army is in a transitional state, but she has always had and always will have many ambitious and provocative officials who will lead the Empire into trouble, as they have done in the past. Stonewalled by German diplomacy in Europe, Russia may some day revive intrigues .in the fertile atmosphere of Afghanistan, and aided'by modern railway transport, she may once more make the North-West frontier of India a scene of trouble to us. There are contingencies where India may he of help to Australia, in her northern territories, and where on the other hand Australia may be of assistance to India. Though strategic plans formed no part of the conference programme, the objective of the conference was based upon those contingent necessities of the Empire’s defence which lie at the root of all plans of campaign.

COLONIAL DEFENCE SCHEMES

The case of the Commonwealth is • wholly, different to that of New Zealand. The responsibilities of the Do- 1 minion end with the provision of a E'readnought cruiser, or large armored cruiser, whichever you may call it. The Commonwealth, like Canada, pre- ' fers to lay the foundation of her own fleet. . ' The Cape delegates could do nothing at . the present stage, for their Act of Union had not yet become law. The plans of the Commonwealth will virtually reverse the old relations that existed between Australia and the Mouther Country. The island continent | will hereafter have its own fleet. It will commence with a large armoured cruiser similar to that of New Zealand, an Indomitable, three second-class cruisers of the Bristol type, six destroyers of the river class, and three submarines of the C class. According to Mr Asquith’s statements, ‘the men will be part of the future development of the Royal Navy. A naval college will be part of the future developments of the scheme. There will be an Australian admiral, taken, in the first instance, from, the Royal Navy, and the rates of pay will be, somewhat higher than those of the British Admiralty. There will, be exchanges of officers between Home and the Commonwealth, and an exchange of visits of ships between the Commonwealth and vessels belonging to the China command in New Zealand waters. We mby take it also that there will be occasions when the China and Australian units will train, together. In every instance the senior officer, no