New-York tribune., 1909-03-30
GERMANY THE BUGBEAR.
Foreign Secretary Explains the i'd
miraltg's Policy.

London March 29-The HOUSE Of Commons. by
strict party vote OF 353 20 49, refused tonight TO
EXPRESS lack of confidence In the governments
naval policy The motion which to-days notable
debate hinged proposed by Arthur Hamilton
Lee Conservative member OF the House from
Hants II set forth. THAT IN the opinion Of this
House the declared policy Of his majesty's govern
ment respecting the immediate provision for battle
ships Of the newest type does not sufficiently secure
the safety OF the empire
The result Of the vote the question was ex-
pected but the debate preceding # was one OF the
most nnomentous which the House has listened 10
for wears The assembly Of diplomats. including
Ambassador Reid. and peers testified 10 It's inter-
national as we'll as domestic Importance The Lead
ers Of both sides spoke. in additicH 10 several
lesser lights A J. Balfour and Mr. Lee accused
the Cabinet of incompetence and demanded that
eight Dreadnoughts be laid down iulnl7diaJely-
premier Asoufth and Sir Edward Grey. Secretary
for Foreign Affairs reprOachsd their opponents Tor
making party question OF the most vital matter
Of the cOuntrys foreign relations
Cir Edward Cfrey's speech was by far the most
notable contribution the debate. because OF IT'S
-ar,arkabIe candor He dwelt on the diplomatic
asnacts Of the British-tfernan rivalry. the hope
es,sss of expecting airy cessation of the race for
arr,aueuts and predicted eventual European bank
ruptcv if it continued After his exposition OF 'he
governments policy the speeches rom tne Oppo-
t.t, benches seemed haif-hearted although flashes
- enthusiasm were kndled among the OpposiJon
members hy the announcement, while Mr. BalIou-
was speaking of the victory Of the Cnonlsts IN ts
Croydon election
The socialist members Of the Reichstag and the
r-,t,eb Taborites exchanged telegran5 pledgtng
themselves TO work for the reduction OF arnaTeiltS
,,+ about the time that the British Foreign Sec
ratarv was frankly declaring that the British navy
was designed solely for protection against Ger
many.
SPEECH OF THE FOREIGN SECRETARY
The Foreign Secretary did not attempt to mininizs
The seriousness Of the situation created ror Great
rv,fa=r vF~ t-rr he sal
meant that when Germany had completed her pro-
gramme she would have thirty-three Dread
noughts the most powerful fleet the world mad ever
seen imposing Great Britain the necessity OF
rebuilding her fleet entirely.
At the same time Sir Edward took the house more
into his confidence than other members OF ths
cabinet are in the habit of doins He outlined th'
steps already taken by th- Admiralty 20 OBTAIN
increased plants capable of coping with any ae-
celeration in warship building which the SITUATION
might demand He assured the House that tAs
government had taken adequate steps 70 place
British capab biIities OF construction beyond DOUBT
He then spoke of the progressive Improvement IA
AngIc-Cerman relations and said that IN MS opiH-
ION the only thing which could disturb these reia-
tions would be an attempt by either country 70 $50
late the other-a thing which neither conteihpite'
describing the diplomatic aspects of the question:
Sir Edward said that naval expenditures frequent
Iv had been discussed by the two countries always
without reserve Various arrangements were con-
ceivabIe: for instance, general agreement os-
tween the two nations 10 limit expenditures or
conpsrtsou of estimates each yelr in advance. vita
n view to their modification. This exchange OF N
formation he said would allay suspicion OF ono
country trying TO steal march on the other.
There was apprehension in Germany that Great
Britain was preparing 10 attack IL Inis the For-
elgn Secretary termed "a wild and ABSURD NUe1-
He did not consider it cause for complaint that
Germany had not entered into an arrangeIasliS
with Great Britain. as could be proposed ohly
on the BASIS o. superior British navy when
would be a difficult thing FOX the German SOW
ernment to put before its people
BUILDING AGAINST GERMANY
THE Germans" said the Secretary. view their
programme as one made for their own neeos' ana
one which has no reference 20 our programme
7rrar idea "a that II we built fifty Dreadncughts.
| or a hundred they would not build more than the
number already decided u9cn; and II We O>=s-s to