THE H.B. TRIBUNE THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 1935 A NEW NAVAL PACT.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 158, 20 June 1935, Page 6

THE H.B. TRIBUNE THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 1935 A NEW NAVAL PACT.

The agreement that has been reached between Great Britain and Germany with respect to the relative strengths of their respective navies is of great significance in more respects than one. In the first place, we have a definite intimation that Germany, for the present at any rate, has abandoned the old pre-war ambition to rival Great Britain as a naval Power. Possibly of still greater significance is it that the British Government has, without previous consultation of the feeling in other countries, taken upon itself the responsibility of indicating in a practical way her recognition of Germany’s right to arm herself for defence. By doing this in connection with the branch o ( f the armament question in which the Empire is very particularly concerned she no doubt hopes to Influence French policy regarding land forces. At time of writing we have no word as to how this agreement has been received by either the French or the Italian Government, although we have French press comment that may have been inspired, but still adopts different points of view. So far as our messages have yet shown there is no time limit for the operation of the pact, nor is there any mention of the notice required to be given before denouncing it, so that its duration would seem to be left indeterminate. This, however, is for the time being, a matter of minor importance. What has to be noted is that in case Great Britain, in order to meet naval expansion by America or Japan, should find it necessary to extend her own building programme Germany, so far as the present agreemnt goes, will be entitled to follow in her wake. This might, of course, mean that Germany’s naval strength would be brought to a point where it would exceed that with which France and Italy have so far contented themselves, thus

prompting a construction race on their part. Another point that has so far not been noted is as to how Russia and the other republics facing the Baltic will regard the possibility of a German navy that might dominate the waters of that sea. Supremacy there would also have a marked bearing on the military position in Eastern Europe. However, on all these points, as well as others, we are likely to have a plenteous expression of varied opinion. Already Mr. Hector Bywater, a well known civilian critic of British naval policy, is out with comment that is certainly not altogether favourable, foreshadowing the need for heavy expenditure in the way of modernising British tonnage. A most interesting detail of the agreement is the section dealing with submarine craft. Unfortunately the summary of this—possibly due to mutilation in transmission —is not very clear as it reaches us here. The general purport of it. however, indicates a very considerable measure of discretionary licence conceded to

Germany regarding this particular naval arm. Considering the peculiar menace to Great Britain of the German “U” boats during the war, it is not altogether easy to understand this, and perhaps wc shall have some fuller explanation of it later on. It may, however, be recalled that Herr Hitler —though we inadvertently misread him at the time—in his declaration of armament policy last month expressed himself as in agreement with Great Britain on the question of abolishing submarines altogether. At the Washington Conference of 193122 America was also in strong accord with this proposal. France, however, would not agree to it. She has maintained this stand ever since and has freely exercised the right she reserved to build as many submarines as she might, ostensibly, deem necessary for the defence of her coasts. Possibly in the relative freedom now allowed to Germany by Great Britain we may see some challenge to France to reconsider her submarine policy. It has to be remembered, too, that another international conference on naval armament is set to be held early next year.