EIGHT BATTLECRUSSERS

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 209, 3 September 1919, Page 7

EIGHT BATTLECRUSSERS

FOR AUSTRALIAN NAVY. JEI/LICQE'S RECOISCKCENBATION. COST OF £5,000,000 A YEAH. (3y Cable.—'Press Association.—Copyright.) MELBOURNE, September 2. Tt is stated that Admiral Lord Jellicoe's report to the Commonwealth Government recommends the maintenance of eight battle-cruisers, besides increases in number of cruisers, destroyers, and submarines. The annual naval expenditure by 11121, under Lord Jcllicoo's scheme, j would be £5,000,000. It is understood that Lord Jellicoe informed the Govern- | mpnt that the Admiralty was prepared |to provide the Commonwealth with many ! vessels of the various' classes required.

Admiral Jellicoe has. if the contents of his report be correctly stated, gone a good deal further than was generally anticipated. With the shifting of one of the main ganglia of sea power to the Pacific, and the consequent division of that ocean by 'the Admiralty into five naval stations, it is evident that Australia's Ileet will need strengthening, but I >wo divisions of Dreadnought cruisers ties beyond what was generally expected. In almost every speech which he <leiivercd during his tour of Australia Yis-i count Jellicoe emphasised the view that Australia must provide herself with adequate naval defence if slit l wished to remain on the map •with a White Australia policy. The discussions at the Peace Conference made this abundantly clear, and the increase in the number of warships included in the Australian Navy. which was arranged by the Prime Minister whilst he was in London, indicated that Mr. Hughes clearly entertained this view. Three great nations—Great Britain, America, and Japan and three young nations—Canada, Australia, anil New Zealand—»are vitally concerned in the future development and mastery of the Pacific, which will almost inevitably turn upon naval strength and strategy. At the moment everything depends upon the ambitions and adventures of Japan. with whom America has many points of friction, extending from Shantung to the Philippine Islands.

It is an open secret that had it not been for sentimental reasons both the' Australia and the New Zealand would have been cast out of the foremost battle squadrons of the North Sea Fleet. Though they were only launched a few years ago. they are already obsolescent, and it is probable that Viscount Jellicoe has suggested that the Australia should be replaced by a lart'or and Inter type of battle-cruiser! and that greater attention should be given to the acquisition of swift light cruisers, together with all the latest types of naval vessels, and a liberal supporting flotilla of destroyers and submarines, supported by air lleete composed of the types which proved most .useful in naval warfare. These cltniiges would involve the constitution of iiew !naval bases and the stationing of the 1 Fleet elsewhere than at Sydney. Viscount .Jellicoe believes that'it will be possible to obtain the crews required for all the ships in Australia by making flic rewards of naval service equal to the I opportunities of land life.