ARMAMENT RACE.

Grey River Argus, 20 July 1922, Page 6

ARMAMENT RACE.

GOING ON AGAIN. A BRITISH DILEMMA. (Received July 19, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 18. Colonel Amery, replying in the “economv” debate in the House of Commons, agreed that Britain must build two more capital Ships. This was in order to maintain a One Power Standard. Every great naval Power was building capital ships, which the Government believed must still be regarded as the foundation of their fighting fleet. He admitted that the

eo-operation between the Admiralty and the Air Force must be fully adequate. The Imperial Defence Committee was considering the matter. Referring to the recent attack on the Fleet, Colonel Amery said that the aircraft were there facing only dummy gunfire, and were thus able to develope full offensive power and escape after effecting a number of hits. Captain Guest, replying to questions in the House of Commons, said that there were now 359 aeroplanes available for service with the Navy, exclusive of two more reserve squadrons, comprising' thirty-six machines. SMUTS PESSIMISTIC. ABOI'T “DISARMAMENT." (Received July 19, 10 p.m.) CAPETOWN, July 18. On the eve of its prorogation the Assembly ratified the Washington treaties. While acclaiming the limitation of naval armaments and the Pacific agreement, General Smuts said he was dubious about the value of the restrictions plm-ed upon submarines and poison gas, and considered the failure to limit vessels below the battleship class and to limit also the construction of aeroplanes a very serious omission. General Smuts added: “It is the >olii y of one of the Great Powers of Europe to have an enormous Air Service, and I think the Hank of the whole Washington position may yet be turned by this very grave omission.”