BRITAIN’S SHIELD

Evening Star, Issue 17928, 25 March 1922, Page 4

BRITAIN’S SHIELD

OISCOSSIOIi 011 THE HAW.

CAPITAL SHIP ESSENTIAL.

Press Association—By Telegraph-Copyright.

LONDON, March 24, (Received March 25, at 9.20 a.m,).

In the House of Commons, in discussing tho Navy vote, Rear-Admiral Suoter declared that there was no justification fox the Estimates. If wo hud had Zeppelins or torpedo aircraft on tho morning; after tho Jutland battle wo should have got every enemy ship. Thus, owing to teUX Admiralty’s stupidity, we wore deprived of tho full fruits of victory. Ho quefltioned tho wisdom of -building battleships. Thoy could leave tho safety of tho Empire in the hands of submarines and airmen, with light cruisers and destroyers. Colonel Amory agreed as to ftho value of aircraft, but ho contended that, even in peace time, Great Britain could not run the risk of being weaker than any Power with whom she might he at war. It was necessary not to bo hopelessly inferior in the typo of vessel, which was still tho kernel and pivot of naval warfare. The Navy which they were keeping in active commission was.the smallest they could afford to maintain _from the viewpoint of the national position, and trade.

The vote was passed.—A. and N.Z. Cable.