EMERGENCY POLICY

Northern Advocate, 16 March 1929, Page 9

EMERGENCY POLICY

FRENCH NAVAL ADDITIONS MEDITERRANEAN BALANCE. KEEPING PACE WITH ITALY. (Times Cable.) (Received 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, Mareti la. The Paris correspondent of the "Times” says: "Maintenance of communications with French North Africa is the most vital point in French naval policy,” said M, Leartery, when introducing in the Senate a bill authorising the construction of a cruiser, six destroyers and seven submarines in the present half-year. "War between Prance and Italy is inconceivable, but if France were involved in war she would bo compelled to divide her forces. Italy would thereby be enabled to dictate her own teams, in the Mediterranean. If Italy helped to maintain French communications she wopld certainly demand the. colony as a reward.

"France needs capital ships capable of meeting any emergency. This might constitute a race in naval armaments, but it would contribute topeace by inspiring respect towards Prance.”

M. Lemery doubted if the new ships were sufficient, in view of the German and Italian programmes. The president of the Senate’s Naval Committee agreed that the programme was insufficient. M. -Marraud, on behalf of the Government, said it was examining the whole situation, in view of the lapsing of the Anglo-French compromise. In ■the mcantilme the present programme must be carried out. /

The vote was passed by 272 to 28.