NAVAL EXPANSION

Northern Advocate, 10 July 1935, Page 7

NAVAL EXPANSION

BRITISH ACTIVITY MORE CRUISERS CONTEMPLATED. / AIRCRAFT ON BATTLESHIPS. C United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright 1 LONDON, July 9. The naval correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph,” Mr Hector Bywater, says that, owing to the big foreign building programmes and the lapsing of the Washington Treaty in 1936, Britain is actively; studying naval expansion. The British programme is expected to include 10 cruisers, bringing the total to 60, which, however, is 10 fewer than Earl Jellicoe, Earl Beatty and Sir Roger Keyes declared to be the minimum for safety. ‘ .. A large expansion of the Fleet air arm to enable battleships and cruisers to be equipped with two machines each is also contemplated. Aircraft carrier outfits are to be brought up to full strength, and there is to be a development of anti-submarine forces, unless an agreement reduces foreign submarines and light vessels. Britain will not enter into naval competition with America, says the writer. Both Britain and America recognise that mutual strength in the Pacific is essential to peace. GERMANY’S PROGRAMME. BUILDING FOR THIS YEAR. V AN IMPRESSIVE LIST. (Received 9 a.m.) BERLIN, July 8. Germany’s naval programme for 1935, in / accordance with the London Agreement, is officially announced. The following ships are either being laid down, or will be laid down in 1935; . The first two battleships of 26,000 tons, with 11-inch guns. Two cruisers' of 10,000 tons, with Sin. guns. Sixteen destroyers of 1625 tons, with sin. guns, some of which were laid down in 1934, Twenty submarines of 250 tons, the first of which was commissioned on June 29, and two others, which are already afloat. Six .submarines of 500 tons and two of 750 tons. , The construction of the first aircraft carrier is being prepared, also plans of battleships to be laid down in 1936 and subsequent years, o.n the principle of qualitative equality. All the ships laid down or contemplated for the 1935-36 programme were planned prior to the conclusion of the Anglo-German agreement. MERIT OF THE TREATY. STARTING point found. FOR FUTURE PACTS. (Received 1 p.m.) LONDON, July 9.' “The Times,” in a leader, declares that the publication of the German naval programme has revived between Britain and France some misgivings similar to those which greeted the Anglo-German agreement of June, but the great merit of the treaty is that it is a great starting point for future pacts. It will be necessary for other countries to show readiness to disclose their programmes beforehand. France may learn the German programme up to 1942 ! if she makes her own intentions known. She does not appear ready to do so. Therefore, international conversations cannot proceed. It is hoped that France will give this advantage to Europe, allowing full discussion on future naval strengths. The British and German naval strengths will stand or fall together. Britain’s efforts will be devoted to preserving qualitative and • quantitative limitation in all countries by amicable agreement. French Sarcasm. The Paris correspondent of “The Times” states that the German naval programme evoked sarcasm rather than surprise in France. The tendency is to say “I told you so” to Britain, instead of to take the revelations too much to heart. Expterts regard the announcement of two 26,000-ton capital ships as a confession of at least the partial failure of the famous pocket battleships, which are reported to have shown serious defects. France has her reply in two projected 35,000-ton ships which are unlikely to be outclassed, at least at present, owing to dimensions of the Kiel Canal.