SINGAPORE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18303, 10 February 1925, Page 9

SINGAPORE.

NAVAL BASE PROPOSAL. JAPANESE VIEW OF SCHEME. (BY CABI.I—PRESS ASSOCIATION-—COPTftIOHT.) (AUSTRALIAN AND X.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATES.) LONDON. February S. The Japanese Lcaguo of Nations Association has passed a resolution expressing the opinion that the building of the Singapore naval base mar produco an unfavourable reaction on tho traditional Anglo-Japanese friendship and afford a pretext for competitive armaments, asserting that the scheme will not harmonise with the spirit of the League, and nullifies; the effect of tho Washington Conference. TO GUARD A SEA LANE. (itJFnUUAS ASD H.Z. CABLI ASSOCIATION.) LONDON*. February 8. In the course of hit* speech afc Liverpool, Mr L. 8. Anion-, referring to Singapore, said: "Ab Singapore we stand on a. sea la no that carries all the shipping of tho Far East. Cleariy it lias direct influence on tho peaceful security of tho Empire that vro should bo in a position to guard that shipping. If wo do so our action is notaimed at any other Power, least of all at our old, faithful oily, Japan, towards which to-day our goodwill and friendship are as strong as ever they wore." EASTERN FLEET NECESSARY. (AUSTRALIAN AMD if.?!. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) LONDON. February 8. The naval critic of the "Daily Express," commenting on tho Singapore naral conforenoe, to bo hold on February 21st, argues that, as at present there is 110 conceivable danger in the Atlantic, it would be strategically valuable eithor to station tho Atlantic Fleet in tho "waters bofcwe«n Hons Kong. Sydney and Trincomalee, or, altornatiroly, to sond thorn thither on a long training cruise. This would impress Oriental opinion and show the Australian public tho character of the ships for which docking facilities would bo required in Australia. The writer concludes: A British Imperial Eastern fleet is unqiicstionably a necessity for tho future. Its formation and success depend on factors with which tho Home authorities and taxpayers are only partly concerned. It will ultinjately bo a joint concern of tho various units of the Empire.