Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-30
COMMONS UPH0LDS
GOVERNMENT POLICY.
Secretary Gray Does Some Plain
Talking in Lower House OF
British Parliament.

ing. He outlined the steps already ta..en
b.; the admiralty to secure plants capable
of coping with any acceleration in war
shipbuildng that the situation might de-
mand. He assured the House that the
government had taken adequate steps to
place British capabilities of construction
beyond doubt He then spoke of the pro-
gressve improvement in Anglo-German
relations and said that i'm his opinion the
only thing that could disturb this relation
would be an attempt by either country to
isolate the other, Il thing which neither
contemplated.
Describing the diplomatic aspects of the
question, Sir Edward said that naval eX-
perditures frequently had been discussed
by the two countries always without re-
serve. Various arrangements were con-
ceivabla-for instance. general agree
ment between tie two nations to limit eN-
pnnditures. or Il comparison of estimates
eDch year in advance with a view to their
modification. This exchange of intOrnla
ton he said would allay suspicion of
one country trying to steal a march on
the other.
that Great Britain was preparing TO at
tack it, this he characterized as "a wild
and absurd idea" He did not consider
it cause for complaint tnat Germany
had not entered into an arrangement
with Great Britain. as one could be pro-
posed only on the basis of superior
British navy, which would be a difficult
thing for the German government to put
before it's people.
The Germans" said the secretary
view their program as one made for
their own needs and one which has
no reference to our program. Their
idea is that it we built 80 Dreadnoughts
or a 100 they would not build more
than the number already decided upon.
and if VIC cease to build altogether
th"y would not build one less. We have
no difficulty in accepting that view
without reErOach. and just as little
difficulty in saying frankly that our
view of our own naval needs is that
our expenditure is and must be de-
pendent upon German expenditures 1t
is essential that We keep our navy
in a superior position. If were asked
to, rfamc the one thing which would
prospects of peace it would tie that
the naval expenditure of Germany is
being diminished and that ours is fol-
lowing suit"
Germany had given verbal, but ex-
plicit assurance, continued Sir Ed
ward. that she did not intend to &C
elcratc Ecr naval program. and would
have only 13 preadnoughts by the end
of 1872. The British government has
accepted these assurances. but was in
formed that four more would be in the
trial stage six months earlier, accord
ing to tn" German custom, capable of
being put into commission. Mere
over. changes in tn. European stua-
tion might lead to q change in the Ger
man program. lie did not belicvs, in
the British government ordering eight
ships Immediately, as they would not
be completed any sooner than if four
were withheld. Some time, he pointed
ont, Germany might change tie type
of her ships. which would ncce3sitate a
British change.
The secretary declared that the vast
ness of the expenditure on ornaments
had become q satire and a reelection
on the civilization Of the world. If it
went on it must sooner or later, in
Europe. lead to national bankruptcy
Great Britain could do 40 good to any
body If she alone gave up the compc-
titioh. She must be prepared to de-
fend her national existence under the
conditions imposed upon her.
Premier ASulith defended himself
against the charge of creating a ma
nj l,i.
ago. lie would he retiCant in his duty
he said. if he failed to point out two
grave factors in tn" situation. the
acceleratinn Of the German program
ard the increase in its building ca
pacity.
The premier argued for discretion
AIRY powers for the government to build
the second four ships. If the accelc
ration of German progress continued.
or was ShrOuded i'm cOncealment. the
government would not hesitate to OK
ercisc its power Mr.. Balfour advo-
Gated the beginning of construction of
eight Dreadnoughts Immediately. He
considered the governments forecasts
as over-Sanguine The naval position
of Great Britain was worse than it had
been in generations and it behocved
the country to see that the navy was,
beyond doubt. the greatest in The
world