MORE ARMING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 167, 29 April 1935, Page 5

MORE ARMING

SUBMARINES ORDEREI} GERMANY DEFIES THE TREATY, COASTAL DEFENCE SHIP 9 FIRST. OCEAN-GOING CRAFT TO FOLLOW. NOT CHALLENGING BRITAIN. (United Press As&ocHa^on— Copyright/ LONDON, April 28. 1 The diplomatic correspondent of the “Daily Herald” says: “Germany has . committed! a further breach of Part 5 of the Versailles Treaty. Orders have already been placed with shipbuilders -for a number of submarines. “The first batch of small coastal defence vessels is already being built. It is expected that the next batch will be larger ocean-going boats.” The Berlin correspondent of the “Sunday Times” learns that plans' foi submarines have been prepared, but 1 construction has not begun. It ia suggested that Herr Hitler is anxious to avoid Admiral von Tirpitz’s mistake of challenging Great Britain on the seas, believing that this more than anything else brought Britain into the Great War on the side of France.

The diplomatic correspondent of the , “Observer” says: “Inquiries in responsible quarters in London confirm thA substantial accuracy of the report that the German Government had decided) to build l 12 submarines of 250 . tofts'.. Designs for them were drawn at' the:; end of last year, the parts were maiih.--, factured during the winter and orders.;; were given a fortnight ago to begin the work of assembly.” 1

A Berlin message states' that official i quarters there describe the report from London as an inspired attempt to prepare the grqund for an increased 1 British armaments • programme. The spokesman for the German Defence 1 Ministry described the report as pre-. mature, since Germany! .will have discussions with, other Powers before sne . proceeds with her naval programme.

SERIOUSNESS OF THE POSITION; A FORMIDABLE NAVAL POWER. BALTIC SEA PROBLEM CHANGED ;* , ~\ ; }' i r (Received Tin's Day, 12.15 p.m.) • LONDON, April 28. The diplomatic correspondent of the “Guardian” says that the emergence of Germany as a naval Power is serious. The value of the antiquated Russian fleet is doubtful, whereas Germany’s will he the most modern fleet in the world. Decision to again build submarines and claim 35 per cent equality with British tonnage shows that she intends not merely to defend her coasts but to become a formidable naval Power, making her might felt on the high seas throughout the world. The Baltic Sea will immediately be affected. Naval rearmament by Russia is now inevitable. The whole problem of the BalticfStates is threatened, with fundamental change, because, with the exception of - Lithuania, they will come within the German orbit.