GERMANY’S NEW CHALLENGE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20095, 30 April 1935, Page 7

GERMANY’S NEW CHALLENGE

PLANS TO BUILD SUBMARINES ANSWER TO GENEVA CONDEMNATION United Press Association—By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright (Received April 29, 8.55 p.m.) LONDON, April 29. All naval experts accept the accuracy of the statement that Germany is building submarines, and discuss its significance. The Berlin correspondent of "The Daily Telegraph” says: -Herr Hitler’s decision is sudden, and is due to anger at the resolution passed by the League of Nations, condemning Germany. The gesture is intended to indicate Germany’s intention to claim autonomy in every aspect of national defence. Nevertheless the order for the submarines ife “unofficial,” and it is not desired that their construction should be interpreted as a challenge to British sea supremacy. The naval correspondent of “The Daily Telegraph” says: At present Germany is limiting her submarines to 251-tonners, which can be built in five months, whereas the larger types take eighteen months. Moreover, numerous small boats will enable the personnel to be trained for a full scale submarine fleet. The naval correspondent of “The Morning Post” explains that the new submarines of 250 tons are of a revolutionary design, as there will be a great saving in weight, owing to the use of hydrogen in conjunction with fuel-oil for surface propulsion and hydrogen and oxygen for submerged propulsion, thus eliminating the weight of electric batteries. GERMANY’S NAVAL POWER EMERGENCE REGARDED AS SERIOUS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, April 28. The diplomatic correspondent of the “Manchester Guardian” says: “The emergence of Germany as a naval Power Is serious. The value of the antiquated Russian fleet is doubtful, whereas Germany’s is the most modem in the world. Her decision again to build submarines and her claim to 35 per cent equality with British tonnage shows that she intends not merely to defend her coasts, but to become a formidable naval power, making her might felt on the high seas throughout the world. The Baltic will immediately be affected. Russian naval rearmament is now inevitable. The whole problem of the Baltic States is threatened with a fundamental change, because with the exception of Lithuania, they will come within the German orbit." SECRET BASES REPORTED SENSATIONAL DISCLOSURES IN PARIS United Press Association—By Electric Tel egraph—-Copy rlgb t (Received April 30, 12,10 a.m.) PARIS, April 29. The German newspaper, “Pariser Tageblatt,” which is published in Paris, reports that a new German secret naval and aeroplane base has been established on the Island of Sylt in the North Sea, The base has underground aeroplane hangars, massive fortifications and bomb-proof shelters for long distance and anti-aircraft guns. “Pariser Tageblatt” says that construction was commenced in 1934. The greatest secrecy has been maintained, only the most trusted Nazis being employed.