The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-04-28
GREAT BRITAIN
PLANS DEFENSE
WILL SHORTLY BE
HELD AT WHICH REPRESENTA-
TIVES WILL COME FROM BRIT
oN'S TERRITORIAL POSSES
SIONS.

London, April 27.-Plans for a de-
Tense conference of Great Britain and
her dominions are rapidly assuming
form, and will be complete when the
consent of Canada is gained. Austria
liza and New Zealand have already an
nounced their desire for such a con-
ference and since the problem of the
Pacific Will be the chief topic con-
sidered by the meeting, it is believed
that Canada will join the other do
minions.
AS the result Of the trip which a
Parliamentary committee made to the
liza and New Zealand statesmen be-
lieve firmly that the problem of the
coming decade will be the maintenance
of supremacy for the white race in the
Pacific. 1t was pointed out to the
committee that Japan is making prep
arations to develop trade and emtgra-
ton towards the antipodes, and that
there is a constant flow of Chinese to
the islands of the Pacific. France has
already largely increased her steam
ship facilities with these islands and
Germany, Holland and the United
States also are active in the same re-
gions.
The determination Of the govern
ment to bring about the conference
has been increased by reports from
Sir Maurice FitZmaurice, who has been
advising the Commonwealth govern
ment on naval matters, and Sir Ian
Hamilton. inspector general of Oversee
forces. 1t has not yet been decided
whether the conference will be held
in London, Canada or Australia, but
the idea is growing, and when the
meeting is finally held it is likely that
all of the British dominions will have
delegates present.
Australia and New Zealand have not
taken kindly to the suggestion made
by Winston Churchill, First Lord of
the Admiralty in his SnapOh introduce
ing the naval estimates. that the safety
of those two countries was secured
by the Anglo-Japanese alliance. Will
liam Ferguson Massey, Prime Minister
of New Zealand, led an attack on the
First Lord in a recent speech at Grey
mouth in which he said he did not
believe the alliance had secured the
safety of the British dominions in the
antipodes.
J. Hume Cook, Prime Minister of
the Commonwealth of Australia, who
stated the case for the Dominions at
greater length, said:
We are told by Imperial states
men that the Pacific is being made
safe and secure, not by the might and
the majesty Of the British feet, but
by the Ang1o-Japanese alliance. That
raises for Australia a very serious
question. I hope that Australia will
always be on friendly terms with ia
pan and get closer to her in the re-
peaceful acts of civilization, and that
the treaty will continue in it's present
form, for I believe it to be a great
power for peace; but when Australia
is asked to rely on the Anglo-Japa-
nese treaty for the defense of the
Pacific a very serious situation is Gre
ated- japan is nation whose people
Australia does not admit to her shores.
White Australia ideals must be de-
Tended at all costs as a cardinal prin-
0tn nf ST In n hn1 fnP
Japanese civilization differs radically
from that in Australia which is COM
PEELED to see no mixing Of races in her
territory.
whilst it is true as Mr.. Churchill
said, that the naval forces should be
concentrated under a united command
on the chief theatres of operations. it
should not be forgotten that the EN-
pire's naval problem is a dual one
Not only should the Imperial power
be developed in relation to the world
problem in order that there should be
an Imperial navy. to fight in any and
every sea where Imperial interests are
threatened, but worldwide prepara-
tions must be combined to make it
possible to concentrate forces at any
point wherever the Dominions have the
greatest menace. Australia hopes that
the Imperial fleet will be so developed
and organized that this country shall
be in no way dependent absolutely on
treaty obligations with any foreign
power whatever.
The government Is anxious for a
conference of self-governing Domin-
ions, including Canada and South At
RIGA. The first Australian fleet unit
is being completed, but to what point
Is Australian policy developing? Mr..
Churchill has departed from the agree
ment by which the Imperial govern
ment undertook to send to the Pacific
"a ship for every ship put into commits
sion by Australia. Mr.. Churchill has
proclaimed that ships of an inferier
calibre will do very well for the Pa
cific. Australia Is entitled to some
3hing more than that statement. She
is entitled to free and full discussion
Of Imperial defense with every unit of
the Empire