Construction of Submarines

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 99, 30 April 1935, Page 7

Construction of Submarines

Hitler Angered at League’s

Condemnation

NUCLEUS OF FULL-SCALE

FLEET

United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Monday, 8.55 p.m. v LONDON, April 29. All naval experts accept the accuracy of tho statement that Germany is building submarines, and discuss the significance. The Daily Telegraph’s Berlin correspondent says: Hitler’s decision is sudden and is due to anger at tho League of Nations’ resolution condemning Germany. His gesture is intended to indicate Germany’s intention to claim autonomy in every aspect of national defence. Nevertheless the order for submarines is ‘unofficial’ and it is not desired that their construction should be interpreted as a challenge to British sea supremacy.”

Tho Telegraph’s naval correspondent says: “At present Germany is limiting the submarines to 250-tonners, which can be built in five months, whereas larger types take IS months. Moreover, numerous small boats will the personnel to be trained for a full-scale submarine fleet.”

Tho Morning Post’s naval correspondent explains that the new 250-tonners are of revolutionary design, as there is a great saving in weight owing to the uso of hydrogen in conjunction with fuel oil for surface propulsion, an»l hydrogen and oxygen for submerged propulsion, thus eliminating the weight of electric baterics.

A Notable Decision RUSSIAN NAVAL RE-ARMAMENT INEVITABLE LONDON, April 28. The Guardian’s diplomatic correspon dent says that the emergence of Germany as a naval Power is as serious as the value of the antiquated Russian fleet is doubtful, whereas Germany's most modern world decision to rebuild submarines and claim a 35 per cent, equality with British naval tonnage shows that she intends not merely to defend her coasts but to become a formidable naval Power making her felt on the high seas throughout the world. The Baltic will bo immediately affected. Russian naval rc-armamcnt is now inevitable and the whole problem will bo how the Baltic States are threatened by this fundamental change, because, except for Lithuania, they will come within the German orbit.