The daily tribune., 1908-07-22
JOHN BULL
IS JEALOUS
OF AMERICA

can battleship feet, which sails to.
morrow from Honolulu bound for the
British colonies In the Antipot.es,
| will be given warm welcome by the
offic ials and people Of New Zealand
and Australia, the feeling In the
mother country is far from cordial.
As a matter Of fact, John Bull is a
littlo Jealous of Uncle Sam and some
of the London newspapers even charge
the latter with an attempt to ALLEVIATE
the affections of King Edwards dom
inions beyond the seas
The Australians have appropriated
about a half million dollars for the
entertainment Of the fleet and this
is. branded as "extravagant" by the
British press.
Commenting on the visit Of the
Prince of Wales to Quebec, where
he will arrive today on tho big
cruiser Indomitable, the London Daily
Mail says that this "will at least
prove to Canada that the British
navy possesses finer warships than
any which fly the American fag.
There is no reason.'' concl udes the
Mail, why the Indomitable and her
sisters should not show themselves at
Sydney and Melbourne. ="
Commenting on the spirit In
which the Australian colonies are
preparing to welcome . feet fiy-
ing the Stars and Strires, the Daily
Mail says:
1.-The explanation Of this outburst
of enthusiasm is probably to be
found in the fact that since the
withdrawal of the British battleship
feet from the China station, which
has left the British empire without =
single battleship east Of Susz, the
Australian people have felt themsel-
YES open to naval attack. They see
in the feet >of the United States q
force capable Of giving protection.
1t would be we'll. however. for Aus
tralians to understand the true Causes
which led the admiralty to recall the
British battleships. The rapid
development of the continental navies
confronted Britain with these alter.
natives. She might greatly increase
her navy. and thus be strong at
home. while still maintaining power
full squadrons In distant waters.
That course would have been wisest
and safest in the long run, though
its cost would have been great. Or
she might obtain allies, economize
In naval construction, and withdraw
her distant fleets. which with re-
duced navy. she would no longer be
able to spare.
1.-The second course was taken.
rightly or wrongly. and we may say
frankly that Its results have not
been gratifying to national pride.
The failure Of the British navy to
put in prompt appearance after the
earthquake at Kingston Is now to be
followed by the assemblage before
Australian crowds OF far more pow.
erful feet under foreign flag than
Britain has ever displayed in Pacific
waters.
"The blame, however. for this
state Of affairs does not yest entirely
with the people Of the United King
dom. They annually provide some
$i60 600. 900 for the navy. The cost
OF an efficient and powerful Austria
linp squadron would be at least $40. :
600, 600 and probably considerably y
more. Yet the total contribution Of
Australia to the navy is only 81 900,
900. while that Of New Zealand is an
additional 500. 900.
'It IL impossible for the British
navy to be strong at all points. M the
idealists would wish to noe IL, unless
its receive greater psouniary support
from the states Of the empire. II
large dstnchments we're made to .
distant point from the present navy,
defeat in Europe would b risked.
Australians can see that any Nc
rious blow TO the integrity or pros
- I