PACIFIC DEFENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 October 1919, Page 5

PACIFIC DEFENCE.

FUTURE NAVAL POLICY,

ADMIRAL- JELLICOE'S REPORT,

• EXCITES GREAT INTEREST, 5 | By Telegraph.—Press As«n - Copjrlght. : Received Oct. 26, 5 5 p.m. < London, Oct. 24. j Admiral Jellicoe's report has excited j naval circles in view of the apparent I acceptance of the Pacific as the main j sphere for future British naval concen- i tration. , This shocks the traditional naval policy j as much as Lord Fisher shocked it when j he ruthlessly scrapped old ships and • concentrated efforts upon Dreadnoughts { for the North Sea. ! Public comments at present are re- j Btricted to the opponents of armaments, i A typical comment appears in the Man- j Chester Guardian, which describes the I reports as merely transferring com- i petitive armaments from the North Sea ] to the Pacific, where we would not wait j long* before competition was taken up vigorously. The Journal asks: "What is the sudden dangerous change in the Pacific compelling us to plan:, a formidable fleet where before the w ir we were content with a modest, squadron!"— United Service. NO CRISIS IN VIEW. IMPORTANCE OF THE PACIFIC. Received Oct. 26, 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. 23. The Australian Press Association interviewed a high navalaauthority wlio stated that Lord Jellicoe's proposals were in accordance with the forecast cabled on August 15, and show- that Lord Jellicoe emphasised that the centre of naval gravity has moved from the North Sea to the Pacific. Lord Jellicpe speaks for the Admiralty when ho recommends an enormous immediate increase in the Far Eastern Fleet. It only remainsfor the Dominions to acquiesce, and to apportion the expense. Whatever difficulties may arise thereanent, there can never be any question of Britain failing to ensure the Dominions' most adequate protection from any menace in the Pacific. There is no sign of any crisis on the horizon, and nothing can occur, at anyrate until the Anglo-Japanese Treaty comes up for revision in 1921. It is hoped that a satisfactory arrangement will be reached for smoothing anypossible clashing of trade interests, which, may be a likely source of trouble. Lord Jellicoe's report clearly indicates that Britain does not contemplate any reduction in naval armaments in the near future, holding that the League of Nations is not yet fully operative, and while the international situation remains as at present, the clause providing for the reduction of armament must be. waived. An important point is that the entire fleet, as Lord Jellicoe proposes, can be despatched forthwith tc the Pacific, where adequate bases exist, without imperilling the situation in the Northern' Hemisphere. Britain would have to supply thai biggest for many years, also to Bend smaller warships pending developments of Dominion shipbuilding. The establishment of such an immense fleet in the Pacific in the near future will involve a building programme for Britain, extending over a number of years, to replace the Pacific ships. The authority recalls that no Imperial Naval Conference has been held > sines 1912. It is imperative that such a conference be summoned immediately. Lord Jellicoe completes his tour in May.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.