DEFINITE DECISION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 11 June 1936, Page 7

DEFINITE DECISION

BRITAIN’S POLICY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN H SHOULD BE TAKEN WITHOUT DELAY CAPE TOWN AS POSSIBLE BASE NAVAL CORRESPONDENT’S VIEWS (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 11th June, 9.15 a.m.) LONDON. 10th June. The “Daily Telegraph’s” naval correspondent says that though there is no question of Britain ever totally abandoning the Mediterranean, a spokesman for al! three services is strongly urging that a definite decision regarding Britain’s future policy in the Mediterranean should be taken without delay, for which an early summoning of an Imperial Conference on defence is suggested, since the matter cannot be settled without consulting the Dominions. It is not correct that the Government is planning a big naval base at Cyprus, which is flanked by nonBritish territory. Moreover, naval experts argue that with the development of aviation Cyprus will soon become as vulnerable as Malta, the future of which is still undecided. The question of Cape Town as a possible base for a British battle fleet is already receiving official consideration. It is not generally known that since August a considerable portion of the traffic which normally passed through the Suez Canal has been diverted to the Cape route, enabling naval and shipping authorities to gain valuable experience, especially regarding the bunkering and port facilities needed if the whole of the Eastern traffic had in certain contingencies to be diverted via the Cape.