NAVAL POLICY

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1936, Page 6

NAVAL POLICY

•> •»»>£•• - » ; BRITAIN AND MEDITERRANEAN (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- -Copyright). LONDON, June 10. The “Daily Telegraph’s” naval correspondent says: Though there is no question of Britain ever totally abandoning the Mediterranean Sea, a spokesman for all three Services is strongly urging that a definite decision regarding Britain’s future policy in the Mediterranean should be taken without delay for which the early summoning of an Imperial Conference on defence is suggested, since this matter cannot Ibe settled wthouti consulting the Dominions. . It is not correct that the British Government is planning to have a big naval base at Cyprus, which is' flanked by non-British territory. Moreover, the naval experts argue that, with the development of aviation, Cyprus will soon become as vulnerable as Malta,, whose future is still undecided. Capetown is a possible base for the British Battle Fleet and is already received official consideration. It is not generally known that, since August, a considerable portion of tbe traffic which normally had passed through the Suez Canal has been diverted to the Cape route, thereby enabling the naval and the shipping authorties to gain valuable experience, especially regarding the bunkering and port 1 .faculties“that wowVl be needed if the whole of the Eastern traffic had. in ' certain contingencies, to be diverted via the Cape. _, y _——