GERMAN FLEET.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 145, 21 June 1935, Page 7

GERMAN FLEET.

UNDER AGREEMENT. Construction Programme Outlined. SUBMARINE PROPOSALS. (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 11.30 a.m.) BERLIN, June 20. The spokesman at the German War Ministry stated that the agreement with Britain would not affect the constitution of the military, naval or air forces. The War Ministry remains supreme authority and does not intend appointing Secretaries of State for each arm as before the war.

A writer in "Bcobachter," voicing the oflicial view of the agreement, declares that Germany is entitled to 183,750 tons of battleships, of which she already possesses three "pocket" battleships, of 10,000 tons each, and she can also build two aircraft-carriers of 20,000 tons, five 10,000-ton cruisers, or a larger number of light cruisers. She possesses six Emden type of cruisers, enabling the construction of 32,000 tons of new vessels. Germany is also entitled to add to the existing 12 800-ton destroyers a fleet not exceeding' 43,000 tons. Germany for the present will not exceed 45 per cent of the British submarine flotilla.

STEP TO LIMITATION.

Mr. Baldwin Explains Aim of Naval Agreement. MR. EDEN FOR PARIS AND ROME (British Official Wireless.) (Keccivetl 1 p.m.) RUGBY, June 20. Asked in the House of Commons whether the naval agreement between Britain and Germany, fixing the German naval strength at 35 per cent of the British Navy was an indication of the British Government's intention to arrange bilateral agreements with other States on the regulation of armaments, Mr. Baldwin replied: As stated in the first paragraph of the Note which the Foreign Secretary addressed to Herr von Ribbentrop on Jiuie 18, the primary purpose of the conversations with the representatives of the German Government was to prepare the way for .holding a 'general conference on the subject of the limitation of naval armaments. The agreement has been reached furnishing a fixed point of departure for further discussion with other Powers, and does not alter the final object of discussion, namely, the ultimate conclusion of a general naval treaty. Mr. Will Thome (Lab., Plaistow), following Mr. Baldwin, asked if the An«lo-German naval agreement did not directly conflict with the Versailles Treaty, am", asked if the agreement between Britain, France and Italy would not have to be revised. Mr. Baldwin demanded notice of the question. Herr von Ribbentrop called at No. 10, Downing Street, to-day and had a long conversation with the Prime Minister, while the naval talks were continued at the Admiralty, and are expected to conclude on Saturday, in which case the German delegation will return to Berlin on Sunday. The Minister for League of Nations Affairs, Mr. Anthony Eden, called on the Prime Minister before leaving this afternoon for Paris, where he will discuss the Anglo-German naval agreement and other European questions, including proposals for an air pact. The British Government has suggested to the head of the Italian Government that it might be useful if Mr. Eden, after discussions with M. Laval, should go on to Italy to discuss with Signor Mussolini the same questions which will form the subject of his talks in Paris. A reply has been received from Signor Mussolini welcoming the- suggestion. SAVE ARMS RACE. Britain's Objective in Pact With Germany. M. LAVAL "STUPEFIED." LONDON, June 20. The First Lord of the Admiralty, Sir Bolton Eyrcs-Monsell, in a broadcast speech yesterday, said the naval pact between Britain and Germany had removed the fear of a naval armament race. Britain would have incurred a grave responsibility if she had refused Herr Hitler's offer. f The Government confidently hoped as the result of the agreement to proceed further with the conversations with other Powers in order to reach general limitation agreements. The Prime Minister/ M. Laval, in an address to the Foreign Affairs Commission, states a Paris message, professed himself as being stupefied by the news of the Anglo-German pact. However, the Government was suspending judgment and would not make decisions pending Mr. Anthony Eden's explanations.

* The "Daily Telegraph" diplomatic correspondent states that Herr von Kibbentrop hopes to take his naval experts to Paris within the next two or three weeks for a detailed discussion of Franco-German naval relations.