RUSSIA’S SEA POWER

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 6, 2 October 1937, Page 2 (Supplement)

RUSSIA’S SEA POWER

Forces In Black Sea

USE OF DARDANELLES Reliable information about the navy of Soviet Russia is exceedingly difficult to obtain, writes a special correspondent of the “Sydney Morning Herald.” The President of the Committee of Defence M Voroshiloff, is said to regard the strengthening of the navy as* the next important step toward the strengthening of the Soviet Union but nothing is yet known of any building programme spread over a term of years. The publishers of “Jane’s Fighting Ships” state that, despite Soviet assertions that since 1933 the Russian Navy has increased by 715 per cent, in submarine, 300 per cent, in seagoing surface ships, and 175 per cent. in.coast defence vessels, there is little evidence of any considerable amount of new construction. For many years past, due to the complete disorganisation of the revolution and the lack of up-to-date equipment and trained personnel, Russian shipyards have been unable to build big ships, or efficiently to execute large rePf ßut there has been a revival in the building of small vessels and submarines, in completing or reconstructing old ships, and even the economical but doubtful expedient of salving and reconditioning submarines sunk durinc: the war. . Russia’s inability to build large ships led to the announcement a few weeks ago that Russian negotiators had successfully overcome American official objections to the construction in the United States of a 35,000-ton battleship, with armament of nine 16in. guns. This ship is to be a preliminary to the purchase of three similar vessels at a cost of £Au5t.25,000,000 to £Aust.50,000,000.

Old Battleships

Russia’s three battleships aie old, reconstructed vessels of about 23,000 tons displacement, carrying twelve 12ineh guns, laid down in 1011 and completed 12 years later. None of.these shins can steam at anything like the original speed of 23 knots, while they are said to b e most unhealthy, insanitary and ill-ventilated. Six years ago, one of them proceeded to the Black Sea. The official explanation of her detention there was that she could not face the return journey to the Baltic. The Soviet strength is accepted by many observers as: Baltic Fleet: Two battleships, one cruiser eight destroyers, three torpedo boats, 60 fast motor-boats, 40 submarines, two mine-layers and 16 mineweepers. White Sea: Six destroyers, five torpedo boats and six submarines. Black Sea: One battleship, four cruisers five destroyers, two torpedoboats, 20 submarines, 20 fast motorboats and a number of mine-layers and mine-sweepers. . Far East: Submarines variously estimated between 20 and 50, 30 fast motor-boats, and a number of gunboats, mine-layers and mine-sweepers. Amur River: 75 armed motor-boats and 32 river guri-boats. According to the German Admiralty, Russia has secretly built the ““Shtiest submarine armada in the world. The same source states that since 1632 Russia has been energetically building submarines, destroyers and high-speed mo-tor torpedo-boats, to the neglect of larger vessels. . , , . Now however, it is added, the shipyards are turning out cruisers as well.

Tlic Montreux Agreement.

The position o£ Russia’s fleet in the Black Sea was regulated by the agreement reached at Montreux last year, under the chairmanship of the Australian High Commissioner, Mr. Bruce. The new convention left the Straits open to commercial vessels, but introduced drastic limitations on the numher and size of foreign war vessels of external Powers allowed in peace time to enter the Dardanelles, or gather in the Black Sea. The acceptance of this restriction of the former freedom of the Straits and Black Sea was a concession to the-Turkish and Russian desire for increased security. Turkey wished to he able to keep a marauder out of tho Straits, or make things hot for him if he insisted on going in. Russia distrusted the idea of an unlimited number of fleets .as big as her own Black Sea fleet being able to gather at one of her thresholds. The States within the Black Sea, of which the chief is Russia, retain the right in peace time to send out their warships almost without, hindrance.

Restrictions on Warships.

Any external Power may singly send a force, comprising “light surface vessels, small war vessels, and fleet auxiliaries” up to a maximum of nine vessels and 15,000 tons through the Straits by day at a week’s notice. This means that the heaviest type of ship which may pass is the “light surface vessel” of not more than 10,000 tons and carrying no guns heavier than 8-inch.

Thus, no battleships may enter, nor cruisers with 11-inch guns. Submarines are also excluded.

The Black Sea Powers —and again this means primarily Russia —are subjected to hardly any limitation on their war vessels coming out through the Straits into the Aegean in peace time. The right of exit for big Russian ships, if Russia ever decides to build any at Odessa, is safeguarded.

“One would think, from statements made in some quarters, that milk is a highly poisonous substance,” said Mr. W. S. Morrison, Minister of Agriculture, in a recent speech. “You would think that unless it is subjected to some process Invented in the last fifty years it would carry death and destruction wherever it goes. The human race had been alive a very long time before anyone discovered germs at all. If milk were the bearer of destruction it is sometimes reported to be the human race would have perished long ago and the world would have been a desert but for the tubercle bacillus.”