February 20.
Tux recent action of forty Liberal members of Parliament in passing a resolution of protest against a reduction of the naval estimates is vot an isolated instance of the concern that the force of circumstances has aroused in. more watchful quarters regarding our present position at sea. History affords 8 sufficient number of instances of the fate that has overtaken nations at a moment when pride of position has led to the complacent belief danger has been finally eliminated. The past year has been peculiarly prolific in the settlement of Great Britain's international difficulties, and there is a natural tendency to allow the immediate future to take care of itself in the assurance that our position is safe for an indefinite number of yearé But simultaneously with the satis factory adjustment of diplomatic questions there arises a more rapid change in the conditions of sea-power than at any previous moment in our own or another nati history; such a fact is of more vital concern to our Empire than the ratification of any number of ententes or Agreements. We have achieved the position of the greatest naval Poweg in the world and it is an axiom that we wish to keep it. The necessities of our existence, our immense import trade and our vast dominions, one and all spell complete and inalienable dependence in all respects upon the sea. Our position, however, to-day shows signs of being seriously threatened, and the problem confronting Great Britain is whether the nation will awaken to a full realization of its jeopardy, before it is too late. The two-Power standard at sea which we have accepted as the minimum basis of our naval supremacy will, unless we understand the situation in time, rapidly become a lost ideal. 'A noteworthy increase in the naval expenditure and armaments of the United States will follow the cruise of the Pacific Fleet; but the real fight for existence is forced upon us by Germany, and it is across the North Sea that attention should be riveted. The last remnants of Teatophobia were eliminated from Great Britain by the Emperor's visit; the silent struggle, therefore, that is to decide the relative position of the two countries at sea indicates merely the normal evolution of powerful nationalities, devoid, happily, of personal animosity.
Elsewhere in this issue we publish an article from "The Navy League Journal" which sets forth at length the cause for the anxiety that has den. As in 1900 these " younger been evoked in regard to the respec-nations" did not hesitate to tive tendencies of the naval program-contribute men's lives when the mes of Germany and Great Britain. common interests of the Empire In 1898 the German naval estimates required the sacrifice, so to-day it amounted to less than £6,500,000 is not to be supposed thet they in 1904 they had been increased by will hesitate to contribute revenue, £4,000,000; in 1907 they ad-. if only they can. be brought to vanced to £14,000,000; next year realize that the sacrifice is as neces~ they will be nearly £20,500,000, sary as the former one of eight and for 1911, when another sen-years ago. Unfortunately, we are national rise is indicated, they are slow as a race to appreciate the cly put down at £23,000,000. imminence of danger, and the warn-British naval estimates, on the other ings that are now being raised at hand, were under £24,000,000 in home are likely to be attributed 1898, over £37,500,000 in 1904, to the lucubrations of alarmists, but last year had decreased to £32,000,000. Of the enthusiasm Nevertheless, they should be persisted in, until' their very repetition in Germany for the navy there can forces those who are now sceptical, no longer be any doubt, and in to investigate for themselves the spite of isolated warnings, the conditions of sea-power as thi country is clearly committed to a stand to-day. Reflexion without rapidly increasing programme. prejudice can lead to but one con-Within a decade it is estimated clusion. that, if the present rate of construction is maintained in Germany, to expend £50,000,000 annually Great Britain will be called upon
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.