NAVAL DEFENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12781, 27 October 1919, Page 7

NAVAL DEFENCE.

COMMENTS ON JELLICOE'S REPORTS. By Tel-sgrapk-Prew As«ocia,tion^-CopyrieU Austrian and 15.7,. Cablo Association. (Received October 27, 11.55 a . m> ) • . , LONDON, October 24. The opinion is expressed in Government circles that Lord Jellicoe's proposals are necessarily lengthv. H i a considered that they will perhaps be substantially modified in view of the present urgent demand for national economy and thus enabling the Empire to regain something equivalent to its pre-war position. ~-. A weil-kown admiral says he is Convinced that thero is no possibility of a serious _ war during the next decade. Britain's commitments will probably necessitate a greater military than naval expenditure and the provision of oversea garrisons- While it is impossible to hope that the Navy Estimates will shrink to the pre-war level unless there is something in the nature of world-wide disarmament, it is argued nevertheless that I*ord Jellicoe's scheme is premature. There is no reason for establishing a Far Eastern Fleet forger than the Atlantic Fleet. The expenses attached to such a fleet would be stupendous, if capital ships were maintained in reserve. The admiral propounds the view that America, is the only Power that could hope to touch Britain at sea. There is no question of any but the friendliest relations in that quarter, therefore what would it matter if America earned out a great building programme? Moreover, the Dominions have to consider the heavy cost of their share. Australian gunnery experts suggest that as Australian and New Zealand requirements arc purelv dofeusivo it is doubtful whether a fleet consisting of large and costly ships is A simpler, hiore effective and cheaper plan of defence would be to have a numerous submarine fleet and the most modern forts, armed with the liigbestpowered guns, including the best models of railway guns, whose value was demonstrated on the battlefields of France. Strategic railways are one of the roost important factors.