SINGAPORE BASE.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 77, 31 March 1924, Page 5

SINGAPORE BASE.

tjpETING OF EXPERTS. ||LgAI,S, GENERALS, AND OTHERS. ma/ItSG THE DOMINIONS. ljf|__.—Press Association.—Copyright,) ffff (Received 2.50 p.m..) £-■■ LONDON, March 30. B_e city business men's meeting Mjjjjg Singapore, Colonel L. C. M. S. that only through s_*re could Britain go to the fSiTof the Dominions, or the Dominto the help of Britain. The j|L_e_t had not consulted but had WcM the Dominions. apfffinston Churchill said the GovS«ofs decision was an act of repudiagF_d a blunt and unprecedented ' I ._ to perform an imperial duty. Stanley Baldwin wrote stating fsi_s was unable to understand the |R(ißty of the people who regarded HLjpore as provocative. Mr. Mac- _§_]__ moral gesture would be interJKd abroad as weakness. The Govshown the Dominions scant jKLsv Mr. Baldwin said he was con§bt when the Brtiish people realised KLfficance of the decision pressure E|d be applied to compel a reversal. Bfoor-General Sir F. Maurice, for- ■ '..; T director of military operations, JEriewed, considered Mr. Mac Donald Hjgt definitely abandoned Singapore 9 vas deferring construction until Sjher negotiations along the lines of Sfffashington Conference had been X and it was disclosed whether jpffihip bases were ncessary. Bjeneral Maurice pointed out that Mr. §fcj___t had proposed to allow ten Kjfor construction of the base which M be constructed in five. Therefore gn.ii. Mac Donald's negotiations in the ;-«_on of international peace failed tjdid not see that much harm would _i from the present postponement. Sjiad it might prove advantageous be- &__ conditions might materially alter Ejjjugh change in battleship type which B made the dock necessary. Further Edifications might require an entirely, jffsrent dock. F General Maurice personally favoured jprt Ksher's policy of postponing the «-. .-traction till the last moment and Eg building rapidly to ensure obtaining £_ latest ideas. Ho believed Singapore lii necessary. The question was whether i~ _onld be a main fleet or cruiser base. |.'__ i.")