SUBMARINE ARMADA

Evening Star, Issue 22325, 29 April 1936, Page 7

SUBMARINE ARMADA

BUILDING BY RUSSIA The German Admiralty states that Russia has built the mightiest submarine armada in the world (write* Hector By water, in the ‘Daily Telegraph’). ■ According to official figures which have reached me from Berlin, 96 Soviet submarines are already in commission, while many more are under construction. The present srrtngth of other navies in submarines is M follows: . France ... . ... 92 United States .... ... ... 90. Italy ... ... ... 77 Japan ... v . ... 67 British Empire 59 Germany 28 German information on Russian naval matters is usually very reliable, and, in the present instance, full evidence is offered in support of this revelation of Soviet naval power. _ ' The official statement adds that, sines 1932,, Russia has been energetically building submarines, destroyers, ■ and high-speed motor torpedo boats, to the neglect of larger vessels. Now, however, the shipyards, are turning out cruisers as well. According to the same authority, the present disposition of the Russian light forces is as follows: Baltic.—4o submarines, 71 *k*lwyera, and motor torpedo boats. Black Sea.—“ At least 20 sub* marines,” 27 destroyers and motor toi* pedo boats. White Sea.—6 submarines and 11 de» stroyers. , Far East.—3o submarines, " pro* bably very many more ” —and 30 motor torpedo boats. - In the Baltic and the Black Sea the light forces are supported by battleships and 'cruisers. ‘‘Practically all the submarines enumerated are brand new,”’ the German official statement continues. “They are of various types and of original Russian design.”