The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1909 THE NAVAY LEAGUE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2655, 10 November 1909, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1909 THE NAVAY LEAGUE.

It is to be .hoped that the loe: 1 theatre will he well filled to-night when Mr. W. S. Palmer, of Wellington, will give 'an illustrated lecture on British naval history. The British navy has for centuries occupied a very high place in the thoughts of Englishmen the world over, hut at present, when for the first time in a hundred years its supremacy is being threatened, the hopes and) anxieties of millions are keenly directed towards it. Never since the days of Nelson have the people of Britain given as much thought to the navy as they are doing to-day. The reason is obvious. The reality of Germany’s (challenge, is slowly but surely making its way into the placid minds of Englishmen, and the dullest intellect is compelled to see that a crisis in the nation’s history has arrived. The evidence of the German intentions is overwhelming, and the person who at this time of day can harbor any doubt on that subject is either ex- > tremely ignorant or very gullible. That the war party in Germany is actively and resolutely preparing to attack Britain on the sea has been made painfully evident to many of those English politicians who but a- year ago received with contempt the warnings of others. In spite of the alleged friendly feeling between the two nations, England is at the present time at war with Germany. It is a financial war, but war it is, and the nation that flinches will lose. It is now perfectly certain that the German Avar party relied upon the passives of England to enable them to outstrip that country an naval preparations. The British passivists, Avith the best of intentions, succeeded in hampering the Government to the point of danger. Fortunately Aviser counsels prevailed. But aa-0 Britishers, in whatever part of the Empire avo may be, /must not lull ourselves into a false faith itr our security. The danger is .not yet past. Once let Britain waver hi its- present determination and the German Avar party Avill quickly take advantage of .the opportunity given. t To-day the Avar takes the shape of the expenditure of millions on -warlike preparations. Britain has no option hut to go on ; to flinch is to fail. But •once \ let it he known —not by words, hut by deeds—that the British nation will not hesitate to make the severest sacrifices to ensure the national safety, and it is more than probable that the saner and better portion of the German people will decline to be bled for

the sake of -Imperial ambitions, and the aggressive plans of the war party. This, at any rate, is the only hope at present. The position v be .deplor-able,'-hilt so far a,s «w.e are concerned it i s inevitable. AVe may he shocked and disgusted at the fearful results of this terrible war, but there is no way put; we must go on. Socialists, Lahoritcs, and clerics may prate as they like about the numberless things that should stand higher in the public mind thafi naval supremacy. Yet there is not one of their aims, however legitimate, that can be realised if we- lose our personal 'freedom. That freedom is guaranteed by the Union -Jack, hut the, guarantee •ofciv holds good so dong as the British uavy rules the sea. It is upon this (Subject that our present visitor will speak to-night, and surely nothing can he of more vital interest. Air. Palmer has done a vast amount of unselfish work in his desire to bring clearly before the people of the Dominion precisely- where their interests lie in regard" to the naval situation. As honorary secretary to the New Zealand branch of the Navy League, .his labors .have been tho.se of a whole-hearted patriotic enthusiast. and we should .like to see a cordial welcome accorded him to-night by the citizens of Gisborne.