NAVAL ARMAMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19350, 10 December 1924, Page 7

NAVAL ARMAMENTS

MEW LIGHT CRUISERS.

EVASION OF WASHINGTON TREATY.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, December 8. (Received Dec. 9, at 10.45 p.m.) The Daily Express’s naval correspondent says that Sir George Thurston, writing in Brassey’s Annual shows how naval architects can get round the Washington Treaty. Sir George Thurston presents a design of ships conforming to the 10,000ton limit but carrying nine 18in guns, capable of firing a broadside in which each projectile would weigh 22461 b, compared with the wartime light cruisers 6001 b. The Daily Express points out that the United States is proposing to lay down eight new powerful light cruisers; Japan and France six each and Italy two. Captain Knox, an American officer, calls attention to the changes in naval strengths which the new light cruisers are making, adding: ‘‘They will soon make a mockery of the Washington Conference by destroying the agreed ratios and restoring expensive competitive building.”—A. and' N.Z. Cable.