Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit MONDAY, JUNE 17, 1935. GERMAN NAVAL STRENGTH.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 209, 17 June 1935, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit MONDAY, JUNE 17, 1935. GERMAN NAVAL STRENGTH.

According to Mr Hector Bywater. the naval correspondent of "The Daily Telegraph," Britain is likely to be confronted with a new naval problem of the first magnitude. This problem will arise if there is an" agreement granting Germany thirty-five per cent, of the British naval strength, for in respect to battle-cruisers the Empira would have only three capable of dealing with five German vessels, and two of those would almost certainly be outpaced. Mr By-water's statement is based on figures giving numbers under various categories, for it has been stated that Britain accepted the German claim provided the proportion applies not to total tonnage but to each type of building programme, and be spread over a number of years so that there would be no advantage of new ships over old. This provision on paper remains from the agreement. A most serious objection, but actually the danger remains. Authorities whose bona fides cannot be questioned and whose competence is proved express the opinion that in the absence of power to restrain no reliance can be placed upon any understanding about proportionate strength. The indications are that Germany will build ships according to her means and inclinations with out regard to the maintenance of such an equilibrium as was sought through the Washington and London naval agreements. Germany will not be able to achieve the status of a naval Power for some years, but her building programme must inevitably alter the balance in naval strength and force abandonment of existing treaty standards, already jeopardised owing mainly to the modernisation of the American and Japanese navies. If Germany pursues her present policy, it! is pointed out, Britain could not consent to the limitations provided under the existing treaties. Compared With 1914 Britain's strength in capital ships by December, 1936, will be 15 against 69; cruisers will have been reduced from 108 to 50; destroyers and similar craft will number 110 against 322, and submarines 48 against 74 Such a standard would be absurd if Germany reached a tonnage in new ships of thirty-five per cent. Increased concentration is the North Sea and the Atlantic would be necessitated, resulting in a deduction of the protection or the ocean trade routes. This protection is already attenuated to an extent that is. rot compatible with the requirements of the Empire and greater attention will have to be given to ships for patroland convoy service.