The sun., 1910-01-13
CANADA TO HAVE WARSHIPS
PREMIER LAURIER PROPOSES
TO SPEND SI1,69OyOOO

New Navy to Ne Built In the DOmlElOu-
school for Oncers PianneCi--BiII Has
First Reading In Parliament at Ot-
taWa-DOes Germany Mean war?
OTTAWA, Jan. l2.-Sir Wilfrid Laurier
announced in Parliament this afternoon
that il was the intention OF the Govern
ment to adopt a larger naval programme,
involving the e,construction OF eleven ships.
The Premier added that the estimated
cost OF the eleven vessels would be e2,-
33s. .OOO or about sl1 .6eO. 900. II they were
constructed in Canada there would be
an extra cost Of 22 per cent.
1t was the intention OF the Government
he said. to begin construction at once
and build in Canada IL possible. There
would be four cruisers of the Bristol
type. one of the Boadicea type and six
destroyers. The act also provides for
a naval college along lines similar to the
Dominion Military College at Kingston
Ont. There will be no compulsory service
Of any kind and the navy will be under
the marine department.
In introducing the act only the first
reading was moved and a full discussion
will be given in about a week.
r. l.. Borden. leader Of the opposition,
followed the Premier. speaking at con-
siderable length. contending that it was
time Canada. which had never paid a
dollar toward the imperial navy. should
do a fair share, but seeming to incline
to the view that it might have been wiser
to have contributed so much money
annually each year. He maintained that
in any event Canada's navy must be part
Of the British one and was sure that IL
any Canadian vessel was attacked the
would be at Canada's disposal.
He did not want to pose as an alarmst.
but he said that the naval supremacy of
Great Britain was challenged by Germany
as it had never been challenged before.
He was not suggesting that war was in
the minds of the German people. Ger
many was supreme on land, as Britain
was on the seas and Canada and every
part of the empire had to do it's duty.
The new act will be known as -an act
respecting the naval service Of Canada"
That a conflict is inevitable between
Germany and England is the opinion of
Prof. PIaton Reich Of Trinity University,
Toronto. He is a German, but before
coming to Canada he lived ten years in
England.
ton from Il 900 900 in 1871 to o3,0OO. 900
nov necessitates "a secure sphere OF power
and influence across the ocean for the
surplus population to immigrate to-"
He contends that to protect her commerce
Germany must have a strong navy. and
this necessarily will cause friction with
England the mistress of the seas.
The professor believes English history
shows that country has been actuated by
selfish motives. He cited her crushing Of
Spain because she strove for maritime
power, wiping Holland OF the seas be-
cause she threatened England and beating
France because she too made a bid for
sea power.
Tho whole German English problem"
said Prof Reich. lis based on the struggle
for existence in which the fittest survives.
He can imagine what would happen X
Germany were merely to aoquiesoe in
merely Continental policy. as was the case
thirty years ago when she had but a few
cruisers. EnRland's sea power would be
unlimited; all other Powers more or less
dependent on her. Without a German
feet the world would be English within
the space Of thirty years"