New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-15
(WriterS Quake at Thought That
Superiority in Ships Is
Only Two to One.
REMINDER FROM CANADA
Sir w. Laurier Surprises Them
by Showing That Colonial
sDominions Are Allies,
Not Feudal Retainers.
by cabl. TO The Tribune

London. Dec. 1.-THE strength oil Tue
navy. or, rather. what seems to be gen
orally considered the weakness Of the
navy. continues to occupy the principal
nIace in the thoughts OF English news
jpaper editors, but the counter proposals
of Sir wiifrid Laurier in the Dominion
lzoar,iaboent at Ottawa have caused
considerable diminuuon in the eouI-
l,,,,o, ~ iov over the proposed cana
L7isn contributions In the first en-
s.b,siaen over Premier Borden's pro
knosals the policy adopted by AusUa'ia
lana New Zealand in contributing 10
Lba naval strength Of the empire was
host sight of, and il was Immediately
k,res,rned that Mir. Borden's announce
Isnont meant that the colonies OF Ehs-
hand were prepared 10 reduce 'hei"
lseIves 10 a state of vassalage lnsteau
l,of participating in an autonomous III
I1ience. and the English papers welcome
khis as though It were the result Oh
lpreat outburst Of patriotic enthusiasm
Isrom The empire.
sir.Wiifrld Laurier has now brought
them again to see that the great sell
Igoyerning colonies are in reality ailies
land not feudal retainers, and that IL is
mot iheir purpose to be drawn against
+heir will into quarrels Of which they
kdo not approve or be used as DOGGY
men TO frighten England's rivals
This is the sad fact that Engish
seditors had to face once more, since Nl'
EUufrid plainly announced the policy OF
h-anadian Liberals to keep CANADIAN
isbins in Canadian waters and pointer
iopt the lack of disposition in Canada 70
,he dragged into quarrels which CANADA
had no part in making and from the
Louscome of which she cannot gain any
Thing Sir Wnfrid represents a very
large section of Canadian thought, ana
If was by no means on the question OF
imperialism that Robert L. Borden was
brought to power by his far from large
majority.
IT is well worth noting and a fact Of
great interest In the present situation
that denizens Of Fleet Street are mucn
more exercised over the condition oI
the British navy than any one else in
England and when the attitude Of
Fleet Street is considered it is wen
,that.this should be so. 1t would be m
decd an unfortunate and sorroWrT
state of affairs If the entire nation
adopted the sentiment Of Fleet street
for seldom has there been sadder
sight than English newspapers at pres
snt. with their daily lamentations 81
hhe fact that the English might have ID
go TO war with no greater naval SUI
snerioritv over a possible enemy than
two to one. It is hard 10 believe that
hhe average Englishman Is so weak u
heart as 10 demand this overwhelming
kuperiority. II is well enough ana
hroper enough TO want and to insist
sipon proper preparation for possible
.eventualties. bat it Is certainly not n
spNiting' 70 see this constant shaking at
she knees and 10 hear this daily re-
reated fear.
As 4 matter OF fact, rather extensive
Enquiries as 70 the effect of these col
emns OF print ON the average English
anan and Investigations Of the spirit Of
hhe man in the street have brought al
hnost the universal reply Of: We don't
read that stuff. II pleases them TO
write IL. so let them write it,