PACIFIC PROBLEMS.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLII, Issue 1734, 9 February 1921, Page 5

PACIFIC PROBLEMS.

SINGAPORE WILL BE FLEET'S HEADQUARTERS. [By Electric Cable —Copyright.] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Wednesday, 1 a.m.) LONDON, February 7. The "Morning Post's" naval correspondent, commenting on the report that Admiral Grant is going to Singapore to hold a conference with the senior officers of the other Pacific squadrons, eays: "The conference is a preliminary to the Imperial Conference in June. Lord Jellicoe has already pointed out that the naval requirements of Australasia will necessitate taking into account the requirements of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Singapore will doubtless be the future headquarters of any British fleet in Eastern waters. While direct Admiralty control is essential under modern conditions over fleets operating near Home, the direction of fleets at a distance must be delegated to officers on the spot, who act on the Admiralty's general instructions. It is not the intention that the Com-mander-in-Chief of the Far East shall exercise control over the Dominions' navies in times of peace, but shall have a Dominion representative of standing on his staff in order to secure the co-ordination which the exploits of the Emden and Von Spee showed to be essential.