GREAT NAVAL SURPRISE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 121, 20 February 1928, Page 9

GREAT NAVAL SURPRISE

BEING PREPARED BY GERMANY MYSTERIOUS MILLIONS INCLUDED IN BUDGET REPORTS OF NEW WEAPONS OF UNPRECEDENTED POWER The opinion that Germany is preparing a great naval surprise for the world is based on the astounding figures of the 1928 Naval Budget. The great cost of new vessels provided for lends colour to reports in circulation in Europe regarding developments by German scientists of mysterious new naval weapons of unprecedented power and efficiency.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright.

(Rec. February 19, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 18. That Germany is preparing a great naval surprise for the world is an authoritative opinion based on the astounding figures contained in the 1928 Naval Budget. These involve a mystery of millions sterling, for which no adequate explanation is forthcoming. These disclosures are made by the "Berliner Tageblatt,” a newspaper of sound opinion, and usually well-inform ed on naval matters.. Some idea of the amazing figures may be gathered from the fact that the British man-o’-war Nelson, of 35,000 tons, the most powerful ship afloat, cost. Britain seven millions, whereas the 10,000-tonner projected by Germany is provisionally estimated at four millions. New cruisers are costing the enormous rate of £2OO per ton, exclusive of guns. It is interesting to note that ordinary merchantmen cost from £lO to £l5 per ton. Liners de luxe, such as the Nlajestic, cost £5O per ton. STARTLING COST OF TORPEDOERS. More startling still is the cost of new torpedoers, restricted by the Treaty to a displacement of 800 tons. Twelve of these are being constructed, costing £215 per ton. This figure is more remarkable in view that they are not armoured, and are of simpler construction than battleships. The only possible inference is that the boats are unique, and contain some mysterious feature of greatest interest to foreign naval constructors. Equally mysterious is the prodigious cost of the guns and torpedo tubes with which they are be ing armed. The “Berliner Tageblatt” recalls that before the war a 5000-tonner complete cost half a million, yet for one new cruiser three-quarters of a million is being appropriated for armaments alone. A further example is given of six destrovers with three 4-inch guns, each £25,000 per gun. In addition, the Naval Department is pressing for heavy guns for a new 10,000-ton cruiser, to cost the fabulous figure of £300,000 for each gun. Another example of the mysterious figures is the new cruiser Karlsruhe. The original estimate was £1,425,000 It has now grown to £2,025,000. The Berlin authorities do not offer any explanation, beyond asserting that the cost of construction in Germany is not appreciably more costly than elsewhere. MOST EXPENSIVE NAVY IN THE WORLD. The “Daily Telegraph’s” naval correspondent also features figures in which he points ont that Germany has the most expensive Navy in the world. He supports his argument in this way: The German naval personnel is 15,000; there are nine battleships and cruisers, and several torpedoers, together with six small coast defence detachments; and the Budget is eleven millions. The Italian Navy personnel is 45,000; three times as many ships, a powerful aviation service, and elaborate coastal defence; and the Budget is ten millions. The French Navy personnel is 57,000, with ships and aviation equivalent to the Italian, and the Budget, is twelve millions. It is also pointed out Italy and France, with the same lavish-

ness as Germany, would be spending yearly thirty-three millions and fortytwo millions respectively, while a similar scale of cost to the British, American, and Japanese world baffle calculation.

The correspondent adds that these figures are certain to be discussed, and undeniably lend colour to reports in circulation in Europe regarding developments by German scientists of mysterious new naval weapons of unprecedented power and efficiency. Whether or not this is the true explanation remains to be seen. UNITED STATES NAVAL PROGRAMME FURTHER REDUCTION EXPECTED (Rec. February 19, 5.5 p.m.) Washington, February 18. It is understood that the House of Representatives Naval Committee will reach agreement within a few days on a five-vear programme of not more than fifteen 10,000-ton cruisers, with authorisation for the construction of ten more cruisers, at the President’s discretion, when funds are available. . The costs are thus cut down from 740 million dollars to 264 million dollars. AGREEMENT TO RENOUNCE POISON GAS RATIFIED BY ONLY TWO NATIONS (Rec. February 19, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, February 18. M. Briand has reminded the thirtyseven nations who are signatories to the agreement to renounce poison gas as a method of warfare that only France and Venezuela have ratified it,, consequently at present the agreement is only operative between these two Powers. ORGANISING NATION IN WARTIME THE FRENCH MEASURE (Rec. February 19, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, February 17. The Senate, by 269 votes to 36, adopted a Bill for the organisation of the nation in wartime. The Bill will now return to the Chamber of Deputies,.for consideration of the amendments. The Senate rejected the compulsory mobilisation of women, expressing the opinion that sufficient would volunteer. The Senate voted that members of the Government and Parliament shall not be liable for military service in wartime.