WEAKENED NAVY

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 188, 7 May 1931, Page 9

WEAKENED NAVY

Battle Squadron’s Passing

BRITAIN’S POSITION

Fifteen Armoured Ships

LONDON TREATY EFFECT

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright

(Rec. May 6, 10 p.m.)

London, May 6.

Rear-Admiral G. F. Hyde’s striking of his flag at Devonport denoted the passing of the Third Battle Squadron under the London Naval Treaty. The Iron Duke will be disarmed, but will be retained for non-combatant duties. The Marlborough will be sunk by gunfire by the Atlantic fleet.

The Benbow and the Emperor of In dia will be broken up. “Their withdrawal, with that of the Tiger, leaves the Navy without a single coal-burning ship of importance,” says Mr. Hector Bywater in the “Daily Telegraph.” “Our armoured forces are now reduced to fifteen ships, including three battle-cruisers, mounting a total of 118 guns of sixteen-lnch and fifteen-inch calibre. . , “The British Fleet has been reduced In twelve years in size of armament by exactly two-thirds. Needless to say, there has been no such proportionate reduction in any other Navy in the same period.”