Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-12-06
Gives an Object Lessee
To the Whole World.
VIII Build Three BalileshIps,
Al a Cost Of S35, 100000,
To Help Mother Country Uphold Her
Great World Power.

Ottawa, Ont, Dec. 5.--Canada pro
poses to add three of the most pow
erful battleships afioat, at q cost OF
$50, 000, 900, to the naval defence or
the British Empire.
These vessels are to be built fn
Great Britain and will form part OF
the British fleet, but they can be re-
called to form part of Canadian
navy, should such be necessary. This
policy was announced. late today, in
the House of Commons by Premier
r. L. Borden in a long and carefully
prepared address in which he review
ed the status Of naval affairs in the
world and told of the burden which
had been thrown on the Mother
Country through the aggressive nav
al policy of Germany in particular.
Great public interest has been dis
played in the question and the knowi-
edge that the announcement of Cam
ada's policy was to be made. today.
caused the floor and galleries to be
crowded with members and specta-
tors.
Premier Borden. in opening his
speech, dwelt upon the growth OF
Canada and other oversee donlinions
and with it the increasing need of
protection. There had now come up.
he said. the problem of combining CO.
operation with autonomy and 1t seem
ed essential that there should be such
cooperation in defence and trade an
win give to the whole empire an eff
fective organization In these matters
of vital concern. Here the Premier
announced that with the new order OF
things, Canada would have a voice IN
foreign affairs. When Great Britain
no longer assumes sole responsibility
for defence upon. the high seas" he
said. she can no longer undertake 10
assume sole responsibility for the
sole control of foreign policy"
He quoted a lengthy memorandum
prepared for the Canadian govern
ment by the admiralty. It reviewed
the recent growth of the naval forces.
especially those of Germany, 1t stat
ed that in the spring OF 1915 Great
Britain would have 25 Dreadnoughts.
two Lord Nelson's and six battle
cruisers; Germany. II DreadnouEh 3
and six battle cruisers Today. Brit
ain has IS Dreadnoughts agaiust II
possessed by the other nations of Gu
rope. In 1913, the cpmparaFive
strength will be "a to 81; In 1911, 81
to "a and in 1915, 35 to 81.
Larger margins of superioritv at
home.'' the memorandum states.
would restore a greater freedom to
the movements of Britishsuuadrona
on every sea and directly promote the
security of the dominions. Anything
which increased our margin in the
newest ships diminishes the strain
and augments our security and our
chance of being left uninolesfsd,
Premier Borden pointed to the disas-
trous effect on Canada and the empire
! which would result from the defeat Of the
British navy.
Twelve years ago the British navy ana
flag were predominant on every ocean
OF the world, :. iis said. To-day they are
predominant nowhere except In the
North sea-
The duty of preserving safety at home
had led to calling back ships from dis
| tant stations. he declared, and this in
| spite of greatly increased expenditures
for national defence.
Premier Borden declared that none Of
the Dreadnoughts would be built In Can
| ada. because the country was not prepar-
| cd to build such ships, but he announced
n
| that the admiralty was prepared to give
| orders in the early future for the con-
| struction in Canada Of small cruisers ana
| auxiliary craft In eess a.esIeH ~!sA the
development of shipbuilding, he sale. ne
| would not be surprised to see the estab-
lishment of higher class of engineering
work which would produce articles now
! imported into Canada
| Mr.. Borden announced that he had
been assured by His Majesty's govern
] ment that they would welcome the pres
ence in London of a Canadian minister
and that such minister would be regular
/ ly summoned to all meetings Of the COM
/ mittee OF imperial defence and would
be regarded as one of It's permanent
members. No important step in foreign
policy he said. would be undertaken
without consultation with Canada's rep
resentative
The premier declared that upon the In
formation which he had disclosed to the
House the situation was. in his opinion.
sufficiently grave to demand immediate
action.
The debate on the proposals, on motion.
was set to begin next Tuesday.