Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-30

London, March 29.-By strict par
ty vote of 1853 to 1875, the House of Com
mons tonight refused to express lack
Of confidence in the government nav
al policy. The motion on which today's
notable debate hinged was proposed by
Arthur Hamilton Lee, Conservative
member Of the House from Hants. 1t
set forth that in the opinion of this
House the declared policy Of His Ma
jesty's government respecting the i'm
mediate provision for battleships of the
newest type does not sufficiently secure
the safety of the empire 4
The result of the vote on the question
was expected. but the debate preceding
it was one of the most momentous the
House has listened to for years. The
assembly of diplomats and peers tcsti-
fled tt its international as well as do
.1neStic Importance. The leaders of both
sides spoke, In addition to several les
ser lights A. J. Balfour ard Mr. Lee
accused the cabinet of incompetence
and demanded that eight Dread
noughts be laid down Immediately.
Premier Asuuth and Sir Edward Grey,
secretary for foreign affairs. reproach-
ed their opponents for making party
question of the most vital matter of
the. courtry's foreign relations.
Secretary's Gray's speech was by
far the most noticeable contribution to
the debate. because of it's remarkable
candor. He dwelt on. the diplomatic as
poets of the British-German rivalry
and the hopelessness of expecting any
cessation of the race for ornaments
ard he predicted eventual European
bankruptcy if it continued. After his
exposition of the governments policy.
TIE speech from the Opposition benches
seemed half-hearted. although flashes
Of enthusiasm were kindled among the
DEtpsition members by the announce
merit while Mr.. BalfOur was speaking
of the victory of the Conservatives in
the .utoyGen election.
''fhc Socialist members of the Reichs
tag and the British Labortcs ex
changed kilograms, pedeng them
selves to work for the reduction of
armaments. just about the tiInq, that
the British foreign secretary was
frankly declaring that the British
navy was designed solely for protec
ton against Germany.
London, March 29.-Seldom in rc
cent years has the national interest
been so intensely focused on Il de.
bate in the House of Commons as it
was today. when the Opposition vote OF
ccnsurc on the government with re
gard to the national policy WAS moved
by Arthur II. Lee, Conservative NOM
Der of the House from Hants. Every
Ill in, tbA
crowded and Whitelaw Reid. the
American ambassador. and other for
eign diplomatic representatives occu-
pied seats in the diplomatic gallery.
The peers We're present in large num-
hers and everybody was anxious to
learn the governments final decision
on the shipbuilding program. The text
of the opposition motion is as follows:
THAT in the opinion of this House the
declared policy of His Majestys govern
mcnt respecting the immediate provisions
Of battleships of the newest type does
not sufficiently secure the safety of the
empire
Reginald McKenna. first lord Of the adj
miralty: Foreign Secretary Sir Edward
Grey. Alfred Lyttleton. A. J, Balfour and
Premier Asquith all took part in the de
bate.
The speech of Sir Edward Grey had
reassurng effect. The foreign secretary
did not attempt to minimize the serious
ness of the situation created for Great
Britain by the German naval program.
which he declared me ant that when Ger
many had completed this program she
would have 30 Dreadnoughts. the most
powerful fleet the world had ever seen,
imposing upon Great Britain the necessi
~ of rebuilding her fleet entirely. AT the
same time Sir Edward took the House
more into his confidence than other mem
bers of the cabinet are in the habit of do