“OUR TOY NAVY”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22520, 14 March 1935, Page 18

“OUR TOY NAVY”

TO THE EDITOR

Sir, —\Vhat Mr Steel states with reference to Germany directing international attention to the growing importance ot an Eastern Power 25 years ago (though I think it nearer 30 years) is quite true. Since that time, however, he appears to have been almost an exclusive student of Soviet Russia. As with France, so with Russia, out of revolution will come evolution. Of Soviet Russia, apart from propaganda, Japan has little to fear. Of the naval offensive which Mr Steel says is the real reason for the insistence by “Japan upon the 5-5-5 ratio, the facts are as follows: In 1932 Russia had four battleships, five old cruisers, 17 destroyers, and 16 submarines. In the same year Japan’s fleet consisted of nine battleships, seven battle cruisers, four aircraft carriers, 31 cruisers, 102 destroyers, and 62 submarines. Yet Mr Steel would ask us to believe that Japan wishes to increase her fleet by more than one-half again, solely on account of Russia. When, further, Mr Steel states that there has been no change on the Eastern horizon of recent years, has he overlooked:— (1) Japan’s intrusion into Manchukuo’s internal affairs against the protests of the League of Nations; (2) her defiance of, and withdrawal from, the League; (3) the undoubted fortification of her mandated Pacific islands; (4) her official statement that, although withdrawn from the League of Nations, she will retain these islands; (5) her drastic attack upon British piecegoods and her inroads to Indian and dominion markets; (6) her refusal to come to a peaceful solution with Manchester and other manufacturing centres of Great Britain for the marketing of piecegoods; (7) her present avowed intention of having naval equality with Great Britain and the United States? In conclusion, I would bring to Mr Steel’s notice a statement by one who is still an important figure in our Empire, a statement of only a week or two ago. Mr Lloyd George, referring to the present condition of the world, stated that he considered there was less danger in European affairs than of an Eastern Power that had just recently bitten off no less than 560,000 square miles of Asia.— l am. etc.. Robert Fraser. Dunedin, March 13. TO THE EDITOR Sir, —Mr G. Steel in a letter said that China would speedily become vassal to Soviet ideals. I suggest that China would take a long time to change her ideals to support Soviet ideals. China does not like too much foreign influence, as she has already shown by her hostile attitude to foreigners, and as she showed the British 50 years ago. A cloud has been showing on the horizon for over a quarter of a century. This is the yellow menace. Japan has been want-

ing Australia for a site to live in for years. Once Japan had Australia she would want to migrate her people to New Zealand also. What, then, would be the use of our navy? The same applies to Australia itself. Man has a far better chance to live up in an aeroplane than in a target so big as a warship. Aeroplanes can bomb a warship and have a better chance of escaping than a warship. In the Greek revolt tve learn that very effective damage was done by aeroplanes while only one aeroplane was brought dow r n by the warships’ fire. The Soviet may only be massing troops at the frontier from a fear that Japan will keep on with its conquests. That the next war is to be fought in the air has been predicted. That next war may happen any day now, as a tense situation has developed. A heart blow could be struck at Britain in that war just by attacking New Zealand. A hostile nation can despatch a few powerful warships with a couple of submarines and an aircraft carrier. Of course, a valiant defence by the warships would be put up, but to no avail. They would only stop the attacking ships for a few moments. An efficient, up-to-date air force and a few submarines, on the other hand, w-ould hinder to such an extent the progress of our enemy that he perhaps would probably be forced to retire. We New Zealanders are maintaining at a terrific cost a few leisurely, useless warships for the defence of our country. We may as well not have any warships.—l am, etc., New Zealand. Warrington, March 13.