SINGAPORE BASE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIV, Issue 9874, 23 July 1923, Page 5

SINGAPORE BASE

SIR PERCY SCOTT’S VIEWS.

AIRCRAFT AND SUBMARINES BEST.

JAPAN NOT HOSTILE,

(Per Press Association, Copyrigl/t), (Received This Day, 8.50 a.m.) (“The Times.”)

LONDON, July 22

Sir Percy Scott remains unpenitent in his denunciation of the Singapore base, but, replying to critics, incidentally gives his opinion regarding Japanese naval activity. He says it is quite true the British cannot send a battle fleet to the Far East, but it would be truer in the future, because Japan, since the Washington Conference, strengthened her fleet in vessels to an unlimited extent. She was building up the finest air force in the world and establishing aviation and submarine bases throughout her possessions. And therein England, as a friendly nation, is assisting. Sir Percy Scott infers that Singapore should be defended by submarines and airplanes.

THE JAPANESE VIEWPOINT. Interviewed with reference to the Singapore debate in the Commons, the Japanese naval attache, Rear-Admiral Tamakitosu, termed the (British decision as a strategically sound and almost essential move. He asked why should Japan be alarmed, as Singapore was as far distant from Japan as Gibraltar is from Washington. He stressed the need for lasting peace, and declared it was folly to assume that Japan constituted a menace to the white Australia policy.

A CLEAR HINT OF WAR.

DUTCH INTERESTED.

COUNTER FORCE URGED.

(Received This Day, 9.20 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, July 22. A message from Sourabaya (Java) published in the newspaper “Handelsad ” commenting on the Singapore naval base debate in the British House of Commons, says the construction ol this base is a clear hint and the outcome of political entanglements, ihe Dutch naval force must no longer be a political device or toys for Ministers. A fit naval force is the first requirement in the Pacific, for the Pacific war which is to be expected.