THE BRITISH NAVY.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 62, 13 March 1924, Page 5

THE BRITISH NAVY.

THE COMING MANOEUVRES. MASTERY OF MEDITERRANEAN PARIS, March 12. The choice of the Balearic Islands, in the Mediterranean, off the cast coast of fcpaiu, for manoeuvres of the combined British Atlantic and Mediterranean fleets Winch began off Majorca to-day, Admiral -Karl Beatty attending, together with the Virtual breakdown of the naval disarmament conference at Rome, is much commented on in Paris. The "Oeuvre" says that Britain intends to show that she keeps the mastorv of the Mediterranean, and to impress Spain, I'ranee, and Italy. This manifestation 01 Imperialism is somewhat disconcerting at the moment when Mr. Kamsav MacDonald arises as pacificator of Europe. It coincides with the recent vote in the House of Commons on the laving down of fn-e cruisers and the increase of £2,000,000 in the Air Force Estimates. It runs the risk of arousing the suspicion, » not the hostility, of" Mediterranean lowers. Writing in the "Journal," Admiral JJegetiy suggests that the French Governrneiit should approach the League of -Nations with a view to the neutralisauon of the -Mediterranean.—A. and N.Z.