LONDON NAVAL TREATY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19917, 2 May 1930, Page 15

LONDON NAVAL TREATY.

ITS EFFECT EXPLAINED. CRUISER PROGRAMMES MODIFIED. (BBITISB OmCUb. WIBM.MS.) RUGBY, April SO. Mr A. V. Alexander, First Lord of the Admiralty, stated in the House of Commons that the effect of the London Naval Treaty in regard ,to cruiser strength was as follows: — (1) Great Britain would not construct the two 10,000-ton cruisers with Bin gunß, of the 1928 programme, and the one 10 000-tOn cruiser with Bin guns. ip. the 1929 programme. (2) The United States, which entered the Conference with a projected programme of twenty-three Bin 10,000-ton cruisers, would actually not complete more than fifteen of this type before 1936, retaining only the option to have three more under construction and not to be completed before 1936, 1987, and 1938 respectively. (3) Japan would remain at her present figure of twelve Sin 10,000-ton cruisers and would not embark on fresh construction, as previously anticipated. As regarded 6in gun cruisers, the Naval Treaty only allowed, generally speaking, for replacements, except that in the case of the United States special provision was made for carrying out the long-postponed cruiser construction. Mr Alexander said that the Government intended to take into immediate consideration the whole position regarding the Singapore naval base, and that it must be done in consultation with the Dominions. DISSENSION AT TOKIO. BIG POLITICAL ISSUE RAISED. (Received May Ist, 10.35 p.m.) TOKIO, May 1. The Government has been severely attacked upon the question of the London pact, the Opposition alleging that the final instructions to London were ignored by the naval authorities. Cabinet's action independent of the opinion of the naval staff constitutes the most important step towards the breakdown of the political lomination of the Navy and Army, raising an issue of which the outcome is awaited with keenest interest. Influential Progressives throughout tho nation are supporting the Prime Minister, SINGAPORE BASE. THE GOVERNMENT'S DILEMMA. (Received May 4tad, 12.45 a.m.) LONDON, May 1. The "Daily Mail'* says:—-"Behind Mr Alexander's answer on the Singapore base lies the story of a Government dilemma. It is now found that it will cost more to abandon the dock in its present condition than to proceed with the contract which the Conservatives signed in 1928. The problem is whether to abandon the base, despite its cost, or to complete the harbour and use it for commercial purposes. The latter is the most likely."