NAVAL STRENGTH

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLI, Issue 20312, 10 January 1936, Page 10

NAVAL STRENGTH

WARNING AGAINST REDUCTIONS

VICE-ADMIRAL HARPER'S VIEWS "The state of our Navy has been so sadly reduced that, if something is not done soon to start to bring it back to a strength fitting an Empire like ours, I am sorry to say that I don’t know what the future will be.” In these words a warning against further Naval disarmament was issued to a large audience in the Bay Hall last night by Vice-Admiral J. E. T. Harper, C. 8., M.V.0., who gave an interesting address on the Battle of Jutland. Vice-Admiral Harper said that the Navy was not only a war machine but it had a great value as a peace machine and was never used for purposes of aggression. “Unfortunately, many people at Home and in the Dominions have been crying out with loud voices, and I may say, ignorant voices, for still greater naval reduction- than have been made, although we have reduced our Navy to the edge of risk—in fact, it is over the edge, and during that time every other maritime nation has been increasing hers. That is a fact which cannot be ignored.” Statesmen in practically every country in the world, at one time or another, had alluded to the British Navy as the greatest peace machine the world has known, and yet some people said that if the Navy were reduced the chances of war would be reduced. Some even said that If the Navy were abolished the risk of war would be abolished. The ViceAdmiral drew an analogy between the Navy and the police force, describing it as the policeman of the seas. It was a war machine only when it had to be. Great Britain could not carry out her maritime transport unless she had command of the seas, but she did not want command of the seas except in time of war.

Emphasising the weakness of the British Nav the Vice-Admiral said

ivy, vle Jmiral that we now had 15 capital ships and by the end of this year all but three would be over age. In spite of what had been said by Lord Jellicoe and other experts—that the ftiinimum number of cruisers necessary even in time of peace was 70 —at the end of this year. Britain would have only 35 efficient units. The situation regarding destroyers and personnel was even worse.

“The last thing one wants is a sudden increase,” said Vice-Admiral Harper, “but a steady and gradual increase is necessary, and when we get back to that state of efficiency it will give the Empire peace and security and will go a very long way towards preserving the peace of the world, which we are all working for.”