New-York tribune., 1912-03-19
PLAIN TALK TO GERMANY
IN HOUSE OF COMMONS
Winston Churchill Refers Spe-
officially to Naval Prepara-
tionS of That Power.
BRITAIN TO KEEP HER LEAD
Admiral Beresford Tells Ad-
miralty Lord That Mention of
Germany Was Unnecessary
and Provocative.
IRy cable to Tho Tribune ]

lRy cable to Tho Tribunel
London. March 19.-Last night Mr..
Churchill made the first important state
ment Of naval policy he has had an op-
portunity Of delivering in the House of
Commons since he became First Lord OF
the Admiralty. The occasion was SO i'm
portant as apparently TO cause legis-
lators for the time being To forget the
coal crisis. which few minutes before
he rose had absorbed all their attention.
The First Lord had a large audience,
which included the Prime Minister, the
leader Of the Opposition and Mr.. Bal
four He was on his feet for nearly an
hour and a half, but his speech hristled
10 such an extent with interesting in
formation that the attention of his hear
ers seemed never for a moment to tias.
He had taken the preCaution to COM
nit to paper the greater part of what he
had to say. and all the more important
passages were read to the House. The
speech was a frank. sincere and vigor-
Gus attempt to argue with Germany az
n the wisdom of carrying on naval
competition with England.
His argument was that for England, in
case of war, victory al sea was neces-
sitv of her existence whereas Germany
was hardly in the same position. Eng
land. says Mr. Churchill having at pres
ent numerical superiority must maintain
Il, and If Germany increases her output
Of ships England must more than pro-
portionately increase her lead.
II. on the contrary, Germany does not
increase or diminish her output England
will not increase; that is to say, will
more than proportionately diminish hers.
Altogether, the speech was an invita-
ton 10 Germany to modify her naval
policy, and at the same time was an in
timation that on the question of the navy
the people Of Great Britain stand solid.
MI Churchill undergoes the novel ex-
perience Of being applauded by the C'n-
seryative and reproached by the Ra1i-
cal organs for his speech on the naval
estimates. The former welcome his de-
cision in favor Of a strong navy; the Int
ter are disappointed at the Illustration OF
their hopes for economy.
Misgivings are expressed. however. a s
10 the wisdom of MIR. Churchilrs blunt
invitation to Germany, and doubts are
entertained whether the Germans wtn
receive the offer in a proper spirit. The
Dailv News" says that certainly no olive
br,r,cb has ever had a more fOrmida bic
appearance.
London, March 1S.-In the House Of
Commons to-day Winston Spencer
churchill. First Lord of the Admiralty
introduced the naval estimates for the
coming year. The appropriations called
f,r amount to 5000. 427 900 a decrease Of
81. .53S. 900 from the amount spent last
year.
The First Lord accompanied the intro
duction with a straight talk TO Germany,
promising an augmentation or retarda-
ton Of British naval construction to cor
~esrond with Germany's naval pro
grsmme. He said he regretted the ne
cessity of referring specifically to Ger
many. but continued:
The Germans are a people Of robust
minds whose strong masculine good sense
md high Coura &c do not recOil from ana
are not offended BY plain blunt statements
~ fact IL they are expressed with courtesy
and sincerity.
Mr. Churchill then detailed the condi-
ffons under which naval competition
would be carried on during the next few
years. prefacing his remarks by the
statement that the two TO one" stand
ard WAS not necessary at present, al
though it would possibly become so. He
continued:
The two power standard has been ex-
tended by some Of its supporters 20 INCLUDE
he United States. and h. this means II mas
lost both good sense and reality.
Mr. ChurchiIrs statement as a whole
Was received with general chorus of
approval. only two strongly dissenting
voices being heard.
Criticism for Churchill
lord Charles Beresford said he re-
earded the mention Of Germany as un-
necessary and sure to provoke that coun-
try. referring 10 the programme itself.
he thought that sufficient provision had
not been made for the protection oi trade
routes
James Keir Hardie, in behalf Of the
I,aborites. protested against the con
stantly increasing naval expenditure. He
declared that this constituted a chal-
lcnge to the other powers, which they
were bound to accept and which event
,r.ll,- u-opId Load ~ war.
The First Lord laid down a ~ per