JAPAN'S AIMS

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 12, 14 July 1922, Page 7

JAPAN'S AIMS

REFLECTION IN NAVAL PLANS

NO PRESENT GROUND FOR FEAR

DEVELOPMENT OF SUBMARINES.

(CNHIB HIMS ASSOCIATION.—COMMIUT.) (Received July 14, 10.30 a.m.)

SYDNEY, This Day.

An interesting discussion of Japan's naval programme and policy is given in p, special article in the Sydney Daily Telegraph by Mr. Pooley, formerly Reuters special correspondent ia Japan. He says that the latest designed Japanese submarines are of 2300 tons displacement, armed with six torpedo tubes, and armoured over the vital parts. They can cruise at 7| knots over a radius of 16,000 miles, and are capable of voyaging from Sasebo round Australia and back to Japan without touching at a port. He considers that there is nothing insuperable in such a feat.

After dealing with other details of Japan's naval construction programme, he adds that it is not unnatural, in view of past history, that some suspicions of the Japanese intentions have been aroused; but for the present, at any rate, there does not appear to be any fair ground for imputing aggressive designs to Japan. He declares that Japanese naval experts do not share the opinion that the submarine is useful only for commerce-raiding; on the contrary, they have a great belief in the future of the submarine as a fleet unit, so much so that Admiral Kato scrapped hi* w *v and pre-war submarine programme when the surrendered German submarines allotted to Japan arrived, and drew up an entirely new programme after a careful examination of the booty, had been made.

The writer concludes with a review of the other branches of Japan's naval policy and construction, and says: "It follows that, if the Japanese programme does not justify suspicions of the bombardment of Sydney and the raiding of Australian commerce, no harm is done by keeping a watchful eye on its future developments. Perhaps that is why a, most distinguished admiral is steering the New Zealand Ship of State, and why one of the most distinguished submarine experte has taken command of the Royal Australian Navy, or what is left of it."