New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-12
THE SAFETY OF ENGLAND.
Premier Balfow Declares InUdslon
of COuntry impossible.

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London, May lin the House of Commons
to-day Premier Balfour, replying to question
on the subject, said that the accepted policy in
regard to the defence of commercial ports had
been reversed. After long consideration by the
Admiralty the Committee Of Defence had
concluded that submarine mines constituted
an inexpedient method of defending such ports
They were more likely to injure the defenders
imam damage the enemy. Mr.. BaItour pointed
out that he not abiding TO blockade MINES
which had played such an important part IN the
Far Eastern war. He believed clVllzed couh-
tries would check the sowing of mines IN the
waters of the world. Great Britain was not
going to fall behind the other nations in the
matter Of blockade mines. but in his opinion the
use of mines ought to be brought up for the
consideration Of some international tribunal,
for the damage and danger to neutrals which
must result from scattering broadcast on the
waters of the world these undirected engines
or destruction were great that he dld not
think that civilized mankind should allow them
TO be used In haphazard fashion. The advent OF
the submarine boat and torpedo boat must quail
ify the extreme doctrine of command OF the
sea held by the so-called Bluewater school
Even if fleets rode unchallenged in every part
OF the world he did not believe any British ad-
miral would view with serenity the task OF
with torpedo and submarine boats.
Mr.. Balfour stated that in considering the diff
hculties of the invader he obliged to base
his calculations on the sIppOsition that the
enemy would be France. the country nearest to
Great Britain 1t was unnecessary to add 1t
was the last thing in the world he regarded as
possible
Further detailing the plans evolved by the
committee for the defence of the coast of Great
Britain the Premier said that, assuming the
absence OF the Mediterranean. Atlantic and
home fleets in distant seas, the Admiralty would
have ready for service within few hours six
battleships and six first class cruisers besides
twelve cruisers. twenty-four torpedo boat de-
stroyerS and ninety-five torpedo boats now in
the reserve with the nucleus Of their crews He
thought submarine boats would be of great i'm
portance as a unit in naval warfare generally
and. NJ least. In attempts to land soldiers on
hostile coast. It was the opinion of Field Mar
shall Lord Roberts that it useless to at
tempt an invasion Of Great Britain with less
than 10000 men. and even If they landed it was
but forlorn hope that they would reach Lon
do2. The Premier believed it was impossible 10
land foreign troops in Great Britain, and. there
fore a serious invasion need not be contem-
plated.
Continuing Mr.. BaIfour said that having re-
gard for the changes in the power of other
nations n redistribution of the fleet and army
was desirable for colonial defence, and the
Committee of Defence had concluded that the
fleet and army should be concentrated in the
centre of the empire. from which they would
be distributed as necessity arose. An invasion
of India had been the dream OF many military
leaders. The progress of Russia toward the
Afghan frontier and the construction OF strategic
railroads compelled the government TO consider
with all seriousness what its great military
neighbors could do No surprise was possible
in on invasion Of India Any collision Of maGni-
tude between two powers must depend upon the
rapidity OF railroad construction. General Lord
Kitchener's view that in addition 10 the
ordinary drafts, eight infantry divisions and
other corresponding arms should be available
for the defence of India in the first year of
war II Great Britain permitted ,he slow abb
sorpton Of Afghanistan IN a way similar to
that in which the Central Asian states had been
absorbed and If Russia's strategic railroads
allowed to creep closer and closer to the
frontier, Great Britain would ultimately pay
for her supineness by having to keep on foot
an army far larger than could be contemplated
with equanimity, and she would be faced with
the greatest military problems which had ever
confronted the British government.
Mr.. Balfour remarked that the development
of Russia toward India had from time time
caused great alarm Great Britain had In vain
by diplomatic means endeavored 10 prevent Rus
sia's expansion, which must now be taken
accepted fact. Although the invasion OF India
was much talked of by Russian officers, he did
not believe that il formed any part of the
scheme OF the Russian government.
The Liberal leader Sir Henry Campbell Ban
herman, complimented Mr.. Balfour on his state
-ment which, he said, would greatly dissipate
the alarms of the country in regard TO Afghanis-
tan. Sir Henry regretted the reference to
France in connection with the prospect Of a
possible invasion OF England. because 1t might
fall into evil hands and occupy evil pens" but
they could safely assume that nothing fur
Their from Mr.. BalfOurs mind and the minds OF
the people of England than the possibility OF a
rupture with their friendly neghbor across the