EVENTS IN THE EAST

Evening Star, Issue 18334, 23 July 1923, Page 6

EVENTS IN THE EAST

THE SINGAPORE BASE.

CONDEMNED BY SIR PERCY SCOTT,

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright

LONDON, July 22 (Received July 23, at 8,50 a.m.) ,

Admiral Sir Percy Scott remains impotent in his denunciation of the SingajoiQ base; but, replying to critics, ho ncidentally gives his opinion regarding Japanese naval activity. Ho says: “1 is quite true that the British Governhent cannot scud a battle fleet to the Far last, but it would bo truer in the futurq because Japan, since the Washington Ccifercnce, has strengthened her fleet ir the number of vessels to an unlimited extent. She is building up the finest air forc> in the world, and is establishing aviation md submarine bases throughout her po:essions, and in this England, as a friedly nation, is assisting her. Sir Percy Sotfc infers that Singapore should he defened by submarines and aeroplanes.—* be Times.’

JAPAN’S PEACEFUL INTENTION!

LONDON, July 22, (Received July 23, at 10 a.m.)

Interviewed with reference to the Singpore debate in the House of Commoi, the Japanese naval attache, Rear-Admiil Tamnket Tosu, termed the British dccisu as strategically sound, and as being most an essential move. Asked wt Japan should be alarmed, seeing tin Singapore is as far distant from Japan ; Gibraltar is from Washington, he stressc the need for lasting peace, and declare that it was folly to assume that Jap: constituted a menace to the White Au tralia policy.—Reuter.

DUTCH GETTING NERVOUS. AMSTERDAM, July 22. (Received July 23, at 10 a.m.) A message from Sourabaya (Java), pul lished in ‘ Handelslad,’ commenting o the Singapore debate in the House c Commons, says: “ The construction c this base is a clear hint, and is the ou 1 come of ' political entanglements. Tli Dutch naval force must no longer bo political device or a toy for Ministers, u iit naval force is the iirst requirement i the Pacific for a Pacific war which is t be expected.”—A. and N.Z. Cable.