GERMAN NAVY FOR ATLANTIC CRUISE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 88, 15 April 1939, Page 9

GERMAN NAVY FOR ATLANTIC CRUISE.

OFF SPANISH COAST.

Near Mediterranean Should Crisis Develop.

40 WARSHIPS TO TAKE PART.

Unitwl Press Association.—Copyright.

(Received 10.30 a.m.)

LONDON", April 14. II is officially stated that the naval manoeuvres which will begin on Tuesday will be in the Atlantic off the coast of Spain, although some vessels might visit Mediterranean ports, says a Berlin message.

l'orty warships will participate. The cruise is officially described as an extraordinary foreign training cruise. It is slated that the old tradition of the German Navy, broken off during the Spanish \7ta. will be resumed.

Observers emphasise the proximity of German warships in the Mediterranean in the event of a new crisis. It is stated that the squadron is only one-fifth of the German naval strength, leaving plenty of ships in home waters.

FIGHTING STRENGTH.

Warships Of Four Powers In Mediterranean. SOVIET BALTIC EXERCISES. Independent Cable Service. LONDON, April 14. Comparative naval strengths in the Mediterranean are estimated to be as follows:— Britain and France: Four battleships averaging 30,000 tons; two battlesships of 22,000 tons; two aircraft carriers; ten heavy and nine lighter cruisers; 64 destroyers; eight torpedo boats; 48 submarines; six motor torpedo boats.

Italy and Germany (including those vessels going to Spain with the German squadron): Two battleships of 23,600 tons; three pocket battleships, of 10,000 tons; seven heavy and 18 lighter cruisers; f>9 destroyers; 70 torpedo boats; 120 submarines; 50 motor torpedo boats.

The naval writer of the "Daily Express" points out that Germany made free use of Basque ports during the Spanish war and established a submarine base at Pasajes soon after its outbreak.

Parallel to this announcement, a Warsaw report states that the Soviet Government has planned the biggest naval demonstration in Russian history on Hcrr Hitler's birthday, April 20. The entire Baltic fleet, including aircraft carriers and submarines, will take part in exercises in the Baltic.