IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3142, 11 February 1911, Page 7

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

BRPLAIN'S UNPREPAREDNESS FOR WAR.

UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, Fob. 9. Mr. Haldane, Minister for War, has

informed Major Archer Shoe. M.P. for Finsbury, that General lan Hamilton’s military* memorandum on Britain's un-

preparedness for war was unofficial, and only contained his personal views. The War Office approved or the publication.

ELABORATED BY ARMY AND NAVY AUTHORITIES.

The "Daily Telegraph" publishes an autluiritative statement' regarding the British policy of national defence, supplementing and explaining the declaration on the question of invasion lately made by Sir Arthur Wilson, First Sea Lord of the Admiralty. Admiral Wilson's pronouncement that all tlie ships operating in home waters and in wireless communication with one another could be so disposed as to make invasion on oven the moderate scale of 70,000 men, practically impossible, has been read with the liveliest interest throughout the country. The First Sea Lord's notes were not intended for tbe instruction of the general public but for the War Office exports, who necessarily read them in the light of special knowledge. It is reported that the responsible authorities of the army and navy, acting in close co-operation, have elaborated a a new policy of defence that provides alike for imperial responsibilities and national perils.