KEY OF FAR EAST

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, 19 March 1921, Page 7

KEY OF FAR EAST

SINGAPORE AS NAVAL BASE LORD JELLICOE'S RECOMMENDATIONS The "mysterious" destination of the eruiscr H.M.A.S. Brisbane, suddenly recalled from maneoucres at Jervis Bay last week (says the Sydney Sun) is stated to be Singapore. An important naval conference is to be held there, and Australia will be represente-.l by Admiral Sir Percy Grant, First Member of the Naval Board._ When Admiral Lord Jellicoc's report upon Austalian naval defence was presented to the Federal Parliament on October 21. 1919. ir v.as suggested then that a conference should be held at Singapore, and this report. no doubt, will form the basis of the discussion.

Admiral Jellicoc's report set out that the probable routes of attack: were mainly from the East, and that the trade routes to be protected must be (a) to North America, (b) to Panama. Canal and South America, (c) to Africa, (d) to Colombo, (e) to Singapore.

CONTROL JN WAR "Whilst definite proposals have been put forward, it is recognised that the decisions reached may be. alfected by the formation of the League of Nations,'' said jLord Jellieoe ; but his report , could only deal with facts as they exist. The question of -the con trol of the hcet in war was of the highest importance, and he recommended that the combined Pacific fleet, should be directed by a Hag officer of high rank located at Singapore, and -assisted by a strong staff. He emphasised the absolute necessity of maintaining the efficiency of the Royal Australian Navy, asserting that a na\y "not in a condition of first - rate efficiency is of little use." "!t is not possible to consider the naval requirements of Australia without tailing account also oi the naval requirements of the racific and Indian Oceans a« a whole," said Lord Jeliicoe. "The question is one of co-operation between the naval forces of the Empire stationed in Far Eastern waters. Sea communications in Indian and Chinese waters, as well a»s in the remainder of the Pacific, are matters of concern to the people of Australia .and New Zealand ; and. conversely, the safetv of sea communications in the South. Pacific and in China are of interest to the people ol India. Similarly the safety of (he bases at Colombo and Singapore is vital to Australia and New Zealand ; and the .safety of Sydney and other naval bases in the South Pacific, and of Singapore and Colombo, is of the greatest importance to India, .Even the prosperity of South Africa is as soeiated. though in a lesser degree, with this question, whilst Canada is greatly concerned in the matter.

"DIRECTED FROM SI NCSA

PORE."

F "I am of opinion that the general direction of the operationso. the Far Eastern fleet should be delegated by the Admiralty to flass; officer of a high rank re siding on shore at Singapore, and assisted by a strong -staff. The Coinmander-in-CJucJ; afloat_ and the flag officers commanding the limit* of the Far Eastern Heel should all come under his com 'maud in war, although. except jwhen placed under his command 'for the purposes of fleet exercises '! the- Dominion _ navies would not 'come under him in peace.' The j admiral in chief command at Singapore should visit such places in the Pacific and Indian Oceans as are of importance for naval purposes in war. in order that lie may have a very intimate knowledge of the- general situation. It would also be most desirable that he should visit the Dominions, so that he may become familiar with the problems ■which.' confront them. He should be assisted in his duties by information furnished to him by the Naval Board of Australia and the naval authorities of other Domin ions, should they follow Australia's example in regard to fleet units : and he should, of course, be in constant touch with the Ad miralt.v and the. officers commanding the British squadrons in I China and the East Indies. I "Reference has been made to the importance of Singapore as a naval base. It is undoubtedly the naval key to the Far East, and Colombo is only second in mi portaucc to Singapore. In hot! places, as well as in Hoii'-dsong early expenditure is most neces B ary—firstly, to enable those base to cope with the docking of am repairs to modern capital ships: and, secondly, to improve tneiJ defences." The outcome of the conference mav be important recommendations to bo submitted to the political conference to be held in j London later in the year.