The Times on Monday published a long and important article
on the development of German maritime interests, based upon the Report on the subject presented last year to the Reichstag by the Ministry of Marine. After showing the enormous increase of German transmarine interests, the Report points out that one-fourth of the foreign trade is with the United Kingdom, and that in a naval war Germany, if defeated, stands to lose everything. The growth of maritime commerce therefore must involve a parallel development of national defence. The German Admiralty, at any rate, recognise how serious a war with England would be for their country. The plea for an increased naval expenditure is based, not upon the ordinary expansionist arguments, but upon solid economic grounds. The growth of German over- seas interests is the best security for peace, and a navy formed to defend these is not a provocative, but a reassuring develop- ment. It is just conceivable that at some future day, when navies are recognised as only the police of merchantmen, Europe may be able, by mutual agreement, to cut down her naval armament. Meantime, the British Parliament must re- gard it as their supreme duty to maintain the command of the sea. Unless we are invincible at sea, the life, not only of the Empire, but of the nation, must be short and precarious.
Previous page
