EIGHTEEN INCH GUNS AT SINGAPORE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20927, 5 January 1938, Page 7

EIGHTEEN INCH GUNS AT SINGAPORE

POWERFUL FORCES ASSEMBLING MANOEUVRES ON LARGE SCALE AMERICA’S BIG NAVY PROGRAMME United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 4, 8.35 p.m.) SINGAPORE, January 4. The military authorities have now released details of manoeuvres being held in the Singapore area at the end of February. Ten thousand troops are participating, including Malay and Punjabi regiments, and a battalion from .'.ongkong. Three bombing squadrons, the 11th from Risalpur, the 27th from Kohat and the 84th from Saibah, are proceeding to Singapore to augment the local and Royal Air Force naval forces. The Aircraft carrier Eagle, will arrive on January 14. It is stated that the land batteries, both 15 inch and 18 inch guns will go into action. It is understood that this is the first official admission that Singapore has 18 inch guns. AMERICA'S BIG NAVY PLAIN WARNING TO NATIONS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 4, 9.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, January 4. The Congressional leaders decided on the speediest possible enactment of the “big navy” programme, following the speech by President Roosevelt, emphasising the nation’s need to maintain a strength sufficient for all purposes of self-defence, says the Washington correspondent of “The New York Times."

The leaders also planned to prevent the war referendum proposal from reaching the floor of the House. They felt that speedy consideration of the Navy Bill would be a gesture to the world that Congress is behind the Administration’s foreign policy. It is also felt that the defeat of the referendum would demonstrate the nation's determination to command respect for her rights.