NEW BRITISH SHELL.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 133, 8 June 1925, Page 3

NEW BRITISH SHELL.

SIXTEEN-INCH PROJECTILE.

EXPLODES AFTER I'IEIIC'IXT.

The new armour-piercing shell of six-Coen-inch calibre, invented by Sir Robert Iln.llield, of Shellicld. is regarded as one of the must important developments of the art and science of warfare since the Armistice. One of discoveries ..f tlie Untile of .lutland was that the British sbclls could not pierce the armourplating of tlie (.el-man battleships, lt was fur some time thought that this was due to some defect in the fuses, but it lias since been made clear that it was due to the poor penetrating power of the shell itself. In the llndli.'ld shell, penetration takes place before explosion, with the result that the explosion is now able to take place in the magazine of enemy ships. Construction War On. This discovery lias, however drawn fresh attention to the relentless hut quiet competition that is going on among the nations in competitive naval armaments. The work is being dune steadily, hut the activities of each power are known tv the agents of the others. l-'or example, it is known that France has developed n new type of cruiserdost royer, which will be capable of ruitning down and sinking with ease the ten thousand-ton cruisers that arc now being built in American, Japan and Britain. .Inpan has retaliated with a new type of cruiser, whirl., for lighting power and speed, is more formidable than any modern cruiser afloat of corresponding tonnage. Resolved To Lead. The experts point out that this construction and these developments have reduced the relative lighting value of most ~f the British cruisers. While some politicians arc demanding a new naval conference to control this newrace in armaments, fearing that it may lead to another war. the British Xavy is determined to keep well ahead of its rivals. Meanwhile the air experts place their faith in the defence of the Knipire by air, and it seems inevitable (hat tlie i.-.siic of airships versus battleships will have to l-o fought out and discussed with the same intensity us in the recent American controversy. At present the air service is the Cinderella n: tho defence .services, nnd its importance is not yet fully realised.