THE SINGAPORE BASE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 84, 9 April 1925, Page 5

THE SINGAPORE BASE.

FLANS FOB FORTIFICATIONS. LONDON, April 8. Commander J. M. Kernvorthy (Liberal member for Kingston-upon-Hull) asked the Secretary of State for War (Sir L. Worthington Evans) in the House of Commons yesterday whether it was true that extensive alterations and enlargements at Singapore were being carried out without fortifications. The Minister replied that plans of fortifications for the base were at present under consideration.— (A. and X.Z.) UNCONVINCING ARGUMENTS. OPPOSITION'S CASE. LONDON, April 2. The arguments of the opponents to the Singapore base are marshalled in an article by the naval correspondent of the "Daily News." They will prove interesting , , but hairdly convincing to Australians who have studied the question, however they may appeal to particular English audiences. The correspondent says: "Until the House of Commons debated the Singapore base proposal the impression prevailed that it was intended merely to develop the existing works in Keppel Harbour. The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. Bridgeman), however, disclosed that the scheme provides for an entirely new and impossible dockyard in the southern short strait dividing Johore Peninsula from Singapore.

"The scheme designed is primarily a battleship base, with a double graving dock capable of taking two of the largest capital ships. The floating dock will accommodate a third capital ship, and the existing docks are adequate for other than capital ships. Therefore, Singapore is clearly recognised as not merely the possible but the probable, battle fleet headquarters.

"The Washington Treaty will shortly reduce the battle fleet to 20 ships, these becoming only 15 after 1935, as compared with Japan's nine battleships. If ever it is desired to mask the Japanese fleet most, if not all, of Britain's capital ships must be dispatched to the Pacific because a force operating at a distance from its home ports requires a generous margin of strength over an adversary operating in its own waters.

"It is inconceivable that the Admiralty or public opinion would consent to a dispersion of our strength, involving the transfer of our battle fleet 8000 miles from England. Successful war at that enormous distance is out of the question, as Russia discovered in 1904. Therefore, it is improbable that Singapore will ever be the headquarters of a great British battle fleet.

"Critics of the Singapore scheme emphasise its distance from Australian ports, but a fleet based on Singapore could probably guarantee Australia's immunity from invasion because it is equally remote from Japan.

"A much more tempting, objective for attack would be Singapore itself. It is only 1750 miles from the important naval base at Formosa.

"In view of its proximity to the war ports of a great foreign Power, the skeleton defences of Singapore are insufficient. Its capture in wai'-time is a staggering possibility, and would be a fatal blow."