The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-07-23
ENGLAND DIVIDED ON
DREADNOUCHT PLAN
London Newspapers Profess
Concern Over Proposals
Of Admiralty.
QUICK REPLY TO GERM ANY
Churchill Asks for S5. .OOO.O 600
Immediately to Keep
Pace With Rival.
.sDeci,i cgb,, D,sp1fcb to Tnr St,

which Winston Churchill First Lord
bulk OF public opinion since he entered
the Admiralty was strengthened by his
speech to-day on naval problems before
the House OF Commons. The speech
was admitted by even his political
opponents to he adroit. courageous and
public spirited. and although his state
ment as to the German naval policy
Is regarded az that Of an "alarmist"
1t II not held To overstate the case
There is however. considerable diver
gence of opinion respecting the manner
in which the First Lord proposed to
deal with the problems
The newspapers which preach the
German peril In season and out Of season
profess the greatest concern over his
proposals, saying they are quite made
quate. Thus the Standard says that al
though Churchills "alarmst and sensa-
tiona" exposition Of the German policy
Is indisputable. his speech is calculated
to arouse rather than allay apprehen-
sions. because he does not announce the
steps to be taken To secure the margin
of the English over the German fleet
The Standard Is in the main intensely
disappointed, saying:
THE country Is looking for action.
which means the building OF ships. but
instead of action 1t Is again put off with
words. We are thankful that the policy
of abandoning the Mediterranean has
been repudiated. but the policy Of hold
ing In the Mediterranean an ample force
has not been adopted as the Govern
ment's policy In an hour Of national
danger. This Is a policy OF words. not
ships
Another view Is that Mr.. Churchill Is
hampered by cleavage Of opinion in
the Cabinet The holders Of this view
credit him with being fully alive to the
grave needs Of national defence and
anxious to meet the situation on bold
lines, but with being compelled to accept
a compromise.
The radical opinion as represented by
the Daily Neus and Leader is chiefly
impressed by the dark pictures OF the
Anglo-Gcrman competition and says
THE speech deepens the gloom OF the
naval outlook and foreshadows the ever
increasing burdens Of the nation. We
have drifted to the present appalling
situation through policy that has made
friendships which imply antagonisms.
Isn't II possible turn from this fatal
path?"
Everywhere appreciation is expressed
Of the cooperation of Canada and the
other dominions. The newspapers,
which take the Gloomiest view. see the
darkness illuminated by this attitude of
the dominions.
In introducing the supplementary ap-
preparation Of $4,000, 900 in the House
Mr.. Churchill said the direct cause of
the increase In expenditure on the Brit
ish navy was to be found In the new
German law. the main feature OF which
was the increase in the striking force Of
ships Of all classes.
Mr.. Churchill said the effect OF the
new German navy law would be that
nearly four fifths Of the entire German
, navy would be maintained in fun and
permanent commission instantly ready
for war
such preparation is remarkable" ne
continued. land, as far as | am aware
finds no example in the previous prac.
tice of modern naval Powers"
Mr., Churchill then announced III"
British shipbuilding programme for the
next hve years. SAYING that five battle
ships were to be constructed next year
and four in each Of the following years.
I Under the new German law. he said.
| the ultimate scale of the German fleet
would he forty-one battlcships. twenty
! large armorcd cruisers. forty smal
cruisers and smaller craft in proportion
THAT will be an extremely formid-
| able fleet" Mr.. churchill said, "and the
only way Ia meet II is hy Good. steady
ana methodical preparation prolonged
over successiv. years. There IL nu use
! iinging money about on The impulse of
the moment The strain which Great
Britain will have to bear will be long
and slow and no relief can be gained
by impulsive or erratic action. We
should learn from our German neigh
bors the way Of the policy which
marches unswcrvlngly to It's goal.
"The supplementary estimate Ia meet
| the extra German expenditure IL only a
small instalment and the new ship
building programme Of the next Ave
! years will he raised To five vessels
next year and four boats each year
thereafter instead of three in 1913, four
in 1914. three in 1915, four In 1916 and
three In 1917. the number ] had hoped
we might stand at
The First Lord Of the Admiralty went
on to point out that the increased
fighting power OF the German fleet In
volved the reorganization Of the British
forces In order that a necessary margin
Of safety might be maintained Ho
then announced that hr intended II
raise the number of battloships In full
commission from twenty-cight to thirty
three by 1914. From 1914 onward Great
Britain viii have five battleship squad.
rons. composed of forty-onc ships, and
( of the five spuadrons four will hc In
fun commission. Thus Great Britain
will have thirty-three battlcshipS
against Germanys twenty nine. This
might not be considered "A very salts
factory proportion, Mr., Churchill dc.
clared. but having in regard the char,
actrr of the different vessels the Ad.
miralty was of the opinion that thirty
three battleships would be inadcquat,
for the needs Of l9lI-l9l5.
Mr.. Churchill promised largo add!
tons In the personnel every year, as
well as extra submarines, and nccelera
ton In the construction of light cruisers
Regarding the Mediterranean, tn,
C0Nttwued on Third Pogo.