THE NAVAL CRISIS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12398, 20 December 1909, Page 5

THE NAVAL CRISIS.

SPEECH BY LORD BERESFORD

LONDON, December 17

Lord Charles Beresford, speaking at Hull, said that Mulliners, a Coventry firm, informed the Admiralty in May, -jOo", of Germany's accelerated shipbuilding, since which date the firm had never received an Admiralty order. The Navy at.present, he.declared, was 16,- ---■ 000 short in personnel. He condemned the short service system, and the reduction of coastguards. If things do not improve ho would be prepared to take the risk of offending under the Official Secrets Act. During the last four years, those in authority in the Navy had pursued a policy of evasion, prevarication, and sometimes absolute falsehood in regard to the strength of ths fleet. So long 'as we were wardens of the seas nobody assailed our supremacy, but directly we become bully of the seas we built' a Dreadnought, and lield it up to the world, particularly to Germany, saying.: " Look, with this we can sink your whole fleet! " Advertising Dreadnoughts placed us in the present position. Germany was now spending more money on construction than ourselves, and building ships faster.