A WAR GAME.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 103, 4 May 1925, Page 6

A WAR GAME.

-\n immediate result of the manoeuvres of the American Fleet near j Hawaii is a movement to strong,ben the defences of that, outpost. The island of Oaliu, in which are situated i the town of Honolulu and the naval : base at. Pearl Harbour. was "cap- ■ hired by the attacking ships, and it is claimed that this would not have ' happened had the land defences 1 n stronger. Exactly what is meant by ''captured is not slated. An enemy might occupy the island by binding a force in rear of the defences, but to do so it would have to elude ~-- defeat the American Fleet. If that fleet was still in being, the position of the occupying forces might be perilous. Th.y might inflict great damage on land, but they might find themselves cut off from ! licit- bases. This agitation for land defence can be OM't'dune, as it has been in most countries. There is always a disposition to seek safety in fixed defences, whereas naval history shows that i* is best secured by a mobile and efficient fleet. A strong naval base near Honolulu would help America in a war in th" Pacific, and the aeroplane arm. which it is considered should be strengthened, can hardly be classed among fixed defences, but ultimately the issue would be decided by fleet strength and naval skill. The Rower that commanded lite sea would prevail.