THE SINGAPORE BASE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22304, 19 January 1938, Page 6

THE SINGAPORE BASE

■lO THE EDITOR 0E TUB TRESS. Sir,—A report of an interview with Captain Roberts in “The Press” today contains one or two surprising statements. The British China Squadron is referred to as “consisting of 28 war vessels of all descriptions, from cruisers to battleships, some of which were equipped with guns capable of outranging those of any foreign warship in the East.” The truth, of course, is that the squadron does not contain any ship larger than a cruiser. The idea of these cruisers being able to outrange the big Japanese ships is rather quaint. While the China Squadron is quite considerable for an overseas detachment. it could not. even under favourable conditions, be regarded as capable of fighting any large section of the Japanese fleet. Japan has undisputed command of Chinese waters. There seems to be a tendency for many people to assume that Britain’s rearmament programme is making the Empire invulnerable. A less optimistic opinion would be more in accord with the facts—Yours, etc,. G. MOTTRAM. January 14, 1938.