Lord Dudley drives Australia's rapid naval procurement

William Ward, second Earl of Dudley, supplied much of the political drive behind Australia's unusually fast decision. He drew lessons from the Russo-Japanese and Spanish-American wars, especially the exposure created by Australia's coastal population and weak internal communications. His answer was to strengthen local ships and infrastructure before asking the Royal Navy for more support. He wanted the whole fleet unit, including submarines, destroyers, and a battlecruiser, and his momentum helped pull New Zealand into the scheme. His attempt to place an order immediately after the conference still required approval. Dudley then pressed Australian politicians, British industry, the Admiralty, the Treasury, and the Foreign Office to complete the order in December 1909.