Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-04-16

London-A party of engineers and
engineering students from the uni
versities, polytechnics and great
works throughout the country is
leaving England April 10 on a
tour of the United States and Can
ada. Landing at Quebec, they will
cross the continent to Vancouver, see
ing and studying all that there is to
be seen on the way. They will then
make their way south through Wash
ington, Oregon and California, will
visit all the chief attractions of the
southwest and return east through
Colorado and the middle west, ending
the tour with visits to New York,
Washington and Boston.
The great railways, bridges, tun-
nels, breweries, steel works and lat
est buildings will all receive atten-
ton from the engineers, while other
experts will examine financial and
banking arrangements.
The question Of imperial defense
has been much TO the fore of late,
and the question OF what the colonies
will do to help Great Britain to main
tain its naval supremacy has receiv-
ed its share of attention. The visit
which Robert L. Borden, prime min
lister, and John ID. Hazen, the minis
ter Of marine of Canada, are to pay
10 London in May has heightened the
interest in the matter. particularly as
TO what Canadas contribution is TO
be under it's new administration.
The admiralty will not initiate any
proposals, the policy OF the govern
ment being that the dominions must
make up their minds as TO what they
desire and are able TO do. They will,
however, be given guidance, and the
accumulation of naval knowledge
which England has gathered will be
placed at their disposal.
Winston Spencer Churchill, first
lord OF the admiralty, in discussing
the matter recently, went further and
said that the admiralty would place
the facts Of the naval policy before
them with absolute frankness..
The government being in posses
sion Of the facts. gathered at the last
imperial defense conference. does not
expect the dominions to do much
more than was agreed upon then. I'M
perialists, however, have plans that
20 far beyond that. These were, out
lined by Page Croft. unionist mem
Der, on the debate on the naval esti-
mates. He commended that the do
Australia and Canada should each
have four dreadnought cruisers,
South Africa two or four. New Zeal
and two and the crown colonies -one
at least. These feet units should be
part Of the British Feet.
Doubtless England would like TO
see this addition to it's fleet, but the
majority here would be satisfied if
the dominions would in time relieve
the mother country of the necessity
OF protecting outlying parts of the
empire and enable it to keep its fleet
for home defense. This is what Aus
tralia, New Zealand and Canada prac-
tically agreed to do at the imperial
defense conference. Canada's new
program is expected TO go further in
this direction than did that laid down
by Sir Wilfrid Laurier.
In this matter of imperial defense,
too, a good deal of attention is be-
ing devoted 10 the oil resources of
the colonies. IL is said that the Brit
ish navy has made greater advance
in the use of oil fuel than has the
navy Of any other country, and in a
Few years immense supplies will be
required. AS it does not wish TO be
dependent upon foreign countries for
this supply. the British government
has had Inquiries made In all the COT
onies. not only In regard TO fuel oil
but also as TO possible supplies OF
petrol for submarines, aeroplanes and
the new internal combustion engines
which some believe will soon be In
stalled ~ smaller vessels of the fleet.
An expert who visited all the colonies
has stated that Canada and New
Zealand will be able TO supply their
own uavies with oil fuel and that In
Australia, Somailand. Egypt and the
Soudan the output is increasing.
IL has been suggested that instead
Of breaking up or selling obsolete
warships the larger ones should be
converted into tanks in which large
reserve supplies could be stored.
London is 70 have two monuments
TO the late King Edward, one in the
center OF the west end, the other in
the east end. The former is to be
erected at the Piccadilly end OF the
BROAD walk Of Green park, facing
buckingham palace and the Queen
Victoria memorial. This is to cost
100000, n very small portion OF the
sum raised in London for a memoir
ial 70 King Edward. II is TO be an
elaborate piece OF sculpture and archi-
lecture. II will have a height OF
about As feet, with a width OF 81
feet and depth OF IL feet at the base.
On the south side. facing Buckins-
ham palace, there will be a bronze
statue OF King Edward a little over
10 feet high. The figure will be in
the robes OF the order of the Garter
bearing the orb and scepter, and will
stand on a pedestal attached TO an
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