JAPAN’S NAVAL POLICY.

Grey River Argus, 15 July 1922, Page 5

JAPAN’S NAVAL POLICY.

SUPER-SUBMARINES TO TRAVEL GREAT DISTANCES. I I SYDNEY, July 14. j The “Daily Telegraph.” published a special article by Mr Pooley, form- , erly Reuter’s special correspondent in Japan, dealing with Japan’s naval policy. 1 He says that the latest designed Japanese submarines are of 2300 tons development, armed with six torpedo tubes. They are armoured over the vital parts, and have a cruising capacity of 7’} knots, over a radius of 16,000 miles. They are capable of voyaging from Saseho round Australia and back to Japan without touching port. Mr Pooley considers that there is nothing insuperable in such a feat.

After dealing with other details of Japan’s naval construction, he adds; It is not unnatural in view of past history, that some suspicions of Japanese intentions have been aroused, but for tho present at any rate, there does not appear to be any fair grounds for imputing aggressive designs to Japan. The writer declares that Japanese naval opinion does not sfiare the view '.hat the submarine is useful only for commerce i aiding; on the contrary, it has great belief in the future of submarines as a fleet indeed so much so that Admiral Kato scrapped his war and pre-war submarine programme when the surrendered German submarines allotted to Japan arrived, and drew up an entirely new programme after careful examination of the booty had been made.

Mr Pooley concludes his review of other branches of Japan’s naval policy and construction as follows: If the Japanese programme does not justify suspicion of a bombardment of Sydney and raiding Australian commerce, no harm is done by keeping a sharp look-

out. Perhaps that is why a most distinguished Admiral is steering the New Zealand ship of State, and one of the most distinguished submarine experts has taken command of the Royal Australian Navy, or what is loft of it.