BRETAIN’S POWER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 45, 22 January 1936, Page 12

BRETAIN’S POWER

IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. “If Italy were to attack, we should retaliate, and judging from our past history, with full success”—-this phrase from Sir Samuel Hoard's speech m tiie House of Commons, explaining .lus resignation from the Ministry, had a very special significance. It was the first responsible admission that Britain was ready for all eventualities in the danger zone. Just liow “ready” she is few persons outside of the Admiralty and tlie War Office realise, for scarcely any details have been disclosed. Nevertheless, the Fleet, the Army and the Royal Air Force are now in a position to deal effectually with any emergency, of whatever magnitude, that may arise in the Mediterranean. The gateway to India can be closed with a door of steel at any moment. Week after week, over a period of several months, a steady stream of ships, munitions and ’planes has been pouring towards Egypt. Guns, lorries, horses, tanks, barbed-wire, tents and all the paraphernalia of war have accompanied an ever-growing concentration of troops and naval and air units at all vital strategic points. In this regard, it. is said that the western desert of Egypt lias become a regioii of mystery, “seething with soldiei's and airmen,” while at Gibraltar, Malta, Alexandria, Suez and otlidr bases over 100 warships ride at anchor or exercise at sea. Indeed, fleet and air exercises are no longer a novelty to the inhabitants along the coast. They have accustomed themselves to the crashing of cannonades and the detonation of anti-aircraft guns, as series alter series of realistic “practices” have been carried out. At Sidi Bichi, ou the outskirts of Alexandria, six miles ot bafbad-wire entanglements enclose a, military “township ’ complete with macadamised roads, cinemas and cafes. There is an uncoinfortuble air of permanence about it. A recent message from Reuter’s special correspondent in the Canal zone, published in'the Daily Express, states that a committee of __ British experts and high British and Egyptian officials has been formed in Alexandria —the key point on the route to India —to study the question of combating poison gas and to instruct the public on air raid measures, Similar precautions iiave been taken at Malta and Gibraltar. “Large consignments of airplanes continue to arrive, writes the correspondent, “and, although the number of British aircraft in Egypt is a closely guarded secret; it is known that British an* strength in the jSehi' East is far greater than tlie present Italian air force in Libya.” “STRIKING POWER.” Discussing the naval situation in the Mediterranean zone, the Naval and Military Record makes the following reassuring comment: “In striking power, tlie British Fleet now concentrated in tlie Mediterranean is immeasurably more powerful than the Italian Fleet. The Italian tacticians probably rely upon countering that disability by their numerical superiority in submarines. The latest otneial return of Italian submarine strength credits that country with 5J craft in service and eight completing. In cruisers, the British Empire has o2 in service or reserve, and the Italians 26; in flotilla leaders and destroyers we have in service or reserve I 70 v , and the Italians have 94.. The whole of Italy’s naval strength is concentrated in Iter koine zone or in the Red Sea; probably in total numbers our present gathering in the ‘area of tension* falls short of the Italian figares,' but that could very swiftly be remedied. In aircraft carriers, tlie Ltalian Navy is very badly off, possessing only one of medium size and very limited capacity against the seven which we have in service or reserve. These craft, covered by capital ships and destroyers, could probably play a very effective part in the defence of Malta, with the Royal Air Force units of the garrison in very formidable co-operation. The latest light-cruisers, flotilla-leaders and destropers of the Italian Navy claim veiy high speeds, but tlie method of establishing records oil trials is one which the British Admiralty does not sanction, so that no definite comi>anson with corresponding types of British vessels can be made from the published figures. In a war in which commerce protection was not of vital moment it is doubtful whether any advantage in the speed of some of their light craft would be of any particular advantage to tlie Italians. “No comparison of the naval strength of nations can really be complete if it omits to take into account the value of the human element. This, of course, if a delicate subject. The post-war Italian Navy is well trained, and undoubtedly more efficient than it has ever been m its history. During the Great War many very gallant acts were performed in the Adriatic, but, on the whole, Italian sea power did not take a very decisive share in the war. No doubt, it was a good deal handicapped by being confined to such a limited zone.