30 JANUARY 1909, Page 17

We publish elsewhere the last of the very valuable series

of letters which Sir William White has contributed to our columns. In his last letter Sir William shows what a foinnidable Navy is in Process of being built up by Austria-Hungary. Recent events are not likely to induce the Austrians to modify their programme. Indeed, they are more likely to make them expedite it. No sensible Englishman will, of course, dispute for one moment Austria-Hungary's right to create a strong Navy. If we were subjects of the Austrian Empire, we should, in view of Austria-Hungary's geographical position and the policy she has adopted, deem a powerful Fleet essential to our safety. But while we have no right to be jealous of Austria's naval schemes, we are bound to take them into consideration, for they have a serious bearing upon our retention of that command of the sea which is absolutely vital to our national life.