The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-06

Alko Anulns AuAH wa W " W. AhA NAVY
70 be true to the end Of the chapter.
Assume that tho colonies were separated from
tSs no1hs 81 oq ,bo sio sTa Doaa ansn o Of can pS Ssi
Canada 70 borderod for 5000 miles b. a most
gOTcTrul nsish0OT whO' S Po,sn,isI'tiss are In
Canada comes into conflict in regard to most
important interests With the rising, power OF
siS Without regarding Il as probable. or even
as possible. that there should be a war OF Can.
ada, or on Cannda's behalf, with the United
behind her to-day, and does not continue TO have
behind her the great military and naval power OF
Great Britain, she would have to make conces-
sions to her neighbors and accept Views which
might DO most distasteful TO her In order TO ro-
main permanently on good terms with them,
bho would be, to q greater or less extent, In
pstrlotism Of her people. a dSspendsnt country.
South Africa, too. in addition to the ambitions
OF foreign countries, there were heavily armed
i GU@ eoaIS f by more an snI thss9 t fise1 for ann of t nosn,
colonial groups to separate themselves from the
protection OF the mother country. or neglect, to
resources.
In this matter. therefore, colonies and mother.
country mad e common interest; A9stTHIs I nSd
tribution In aid Of the British Navy, and also
took her fun share OF her own military defences.
course. True, the amount at present was ALSO
lutely trihinR. But It was the commencement
only. which would establish the principle OF
mutual support OF a truly imperial patriotism.
Tho Premiers then were asked TO give their
viows on any contribution the colonies. would be
willing TO make In regard to naval defence. In
regard to military defence OF the empire matters
were still behindhand. Tho colonial defence
accomplished something. but, with all the
magnificent resources OF the colonies their or
ssnizH,ion was Still ms, tisfsetory; T nne
1t would be sudden and give no time for prep
grafton. This made T. necessary to have be.
forehand a common scheme OF defence against
any PROBABLE or possible enemy. Uniformity Of
arms was also OF immense importance, as max
ing possible an interchange OF weapon. there
was also uniformity OF equipment and n central
provision for stores. and for military instruction
Of local forces. all things OF great advantage TO
These various points were fully discussed.
ON the most important OF lhemIthat OF naval
ae'G s6s vIsMs Of ml ssr Maiesiy's G haS arasem IN IN
regard to the agreement with the Australaslan
colonies. and the First Lord OF the Admiralty,
accompanied by the Senior Naval Lord. at
tended the conf renee on It's last meeting, Mr..
Gosrhen said the Admiralty were content TO
abide by. the present arrangement. A c%ontri-
button OF sl26,OOO per annum the Admiralty
did not attach much Importance to; 1t did not
give much assistance. but produced certain ties
point of view the Admiralty wanted a free hand.
Mr.; Goschen's speech on this point, 80 thor.
S @i,h r. explained 81 a al n % the eo y,eM1 Of 9c, the A thnt f. y
worth reading In full. lie said:
II was glad to see that IL has been acknowl.
edged by the Premier that the operations OF tho
Australian squadron In the Solomon Islands,
and generally in the Pacific groups, have n dis
tinet colonial hs well as an imperial interest,
the employment OF ships on the Australasian
station Tor purposes 30 distinctly colonial as
many Of these purposes are, though such EN-.
ployinent might carry the ships to a considerable
distance from the continent OF Australia. But,
apart from this. the object for which wo want a
free hand Is to be ablo to conduct the defence OF
Australia on the same principles as those which
we should follow in the defence OF our English.
Scotch. and Irish ports-principles which ex'
clude our undertaking TO detacn ships to par
ticular ports. For instance. we could not under
i i%HH "a and ida another IT at SMedlbournc.
We must rely upon the localities themselves
for the defence OF these ports, while on our part
should be directed against any part OF Australia.
No organized expedition, could be sent either
France Without the full knowledge Of the AID.
miralty. That l assume. We are too ubiquitous
for any such expedition to be secretly organized.
II it were organized, our whole strength would
be directed to defeating such n movement l
see it has been suggested In a previous dis
take away the ships which may he on the Austria
liam station. and for which You have partly paid
and on which You rely. in order to send them 10
some distant quarter. But | cannot conceive
any case, unless we actually lost our sea power,
when We should think 1t our duty not to defend
so valuable u portion OF our empire AS Australia,
New Zealand, and Tasmania. for the safety OF
which we hold ourselves responsible In the same
way as we ho III, ourselves uh Iy resPon mnt 81 ior ye sne
strongly SO that there may be no apprehension.
In all our stratesical combinations we have
never conceived the possibility that we should
expose such possessions as the Australian colo
MES.
Of which mention has been made that it was tho
desire OF the Admiralty TO have full control OF
the Australian squadron in time OF war. even &c
far as to send the ships paid for by the Australian
colonies thousands OF miles away to attack the
mmeT OF an enemy. This ruInor has, proba
bly,, originated from our claiming freedom in the
sense In which have claimed 1t.
IF II has been said that We want TO have me ful
and free disposal OF our ships. this certainly, as
far rs my own policy and that OF the present
board is concerned, does not mean that we claiu
to withdraw the ships built under our agree
ment with the Australian colonies and to SEND
them to the Cape or to China, but that we desire
fr, edom so to manage the ships as best 10 pro
tect that zone and that sphere to which they
belong, II We heard that an enemy were plan
ming an expedition toward the coasts OF Aus
tralia. In such u case we might possibly gather
| tho Whole OF our ships together. and taking
such other precautions as might, be necessary
use them neutrality-suspicious. is, perhaps, toe
strong a word-but use them as we should see
best for the protection OF the general interests
of that part OF the Queens dOminions.
81 know that nm erroneous impression ha'
existed that. not only in the colonies, but a
home, we should station ships, to defend par
~ticuiar ports. Take Liverpool, for instance
fsni 1 iiye n%oSi arr Ths g licences @o F of EiTeeeo % are are
in the hands OF the army. who practically man
age The torpedocs and the mines. the shore de
responsible. with such cooperation AS might bt
necessary. II a comparatively large expedition
were. 10 threaten tne place. ihls ID inc treouoH
which we claim.
THE misunderstanding has arisen, havt
been told, from the Interpretation of a speech o.
the Duke of Devonshirc's. know that speect
well. IL did not for one moment, to my mind
justify tho fear that We should, in breach OF oul
agreement with Australia, claim to withdraw
the ships from thence which had been paid fol
by colonial contributions. The principal poinI
In that speech was a protest against tho idea
Of what | call hugging the shore, against thu
idea that protection by tho navy superseded
the necessity for shore defences. 1t lait
down the principle that our policy must b,
aggressive, seeking out the enemy, q polio,
which. M regards Australia, might aim at at
tacking the possessions OF other powers at wal
with us in the Australian zone, or at seeking
out their ships within the Australian station
wherever they might be. Hence our claim fol
freedom for the navy. Hence tho duty OF tn,
colonies as well as The mother country to lool
after their shore dc.enCes. i do not say that W,
should not prefer contributions without any Il,
whatever, but | do not make such a demand
and so far as the policy of the present Board o.
Admiralty Is concerned. ] am prepared to stant
by the existing agreement
After hearing this the conference passed 6
resolution that the statement of the First Lore
Of the Admiralty with reference to the Austria
liam squadron was most satisfactory, and the
PremieTs OF Australasia favored the continu
ance or the Australian squadron under the ex
listing Terms. Mr.. Kingston. of western Australia
dissen cd pending consideration OF "a scheme fol-
the establishment OF a branch of the ROys
1 NJ a.-l -.--.- H.. A .-. ..Is a. 81 o..