NAVAL STRENGTH

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20833, 17 June 1939, Page 7

NAVAL STRENGTH

IN THE FAR EAST BRITAIN, FRANCE, AMERICA BIG FORCE AVAILABLE (Independent Cable) (Received June 17, 1i.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 15 The naval strength of Britain, France and the United States in the Far East is:—• Britain s The cruisers Kent. Cornwall, Dorsetshire and Birmingham, the aircraftcarrier Eagle, fourteen destroyers, five escort vessels, fifteen submarines, six motor torpedo boats, one mine-layer. At Hong Kong.—. Nine minesweepers and one monitor. At Singapore.—Twenty river gunboats, one submarine and depot ship. France Two cruisers, four escort vessels, two patrol boats, nine river gunboats. United States Two cruisers, three escort vessels, one patrol ship, thirteen destroyers, six submarines, four mine-sweepers, five river gunboats, two depot ships and one oiler. TOKIO, June 10 The Domei News Agency states that tlic British authorities have requested warships fo convey food to the Tientsin concession. BRITISH PRESTIGE ALLEGED KNOCK-OUT BLOW CONFLICT RESULT IN DOWNFALL STRONG ITALIAN COMMENT (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (•Received June 17. 11 a.m.) ROME, June 16 The press gives prominence to the trouble at Tientsin. Signor 'Gayda cryptically states that Italian policy will never be disassociated from the historical realities uniting her with the policy of Japan. The Tribuna declares that British prestige in the Far East is receiving a knock-out blow. Not even four-fifths of the British Navy is sufficient to overcome the Japanese Fleet, and a conflict would result in the downfall of Britain in ail the seas of the world, starting In the Mediterranean. CONCERN IN AMERICA WHAT JAPAN DEMANDS CRISIS MIGHT BE ENDED (Unlied Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright} LONDON, Juno 16 The Washington correspondent of the United Press of America says the United States expressed concern, to Japan about the blockade at Tientsin. A State Department official disclosed that America's views were delivered verbally at the Japanese Foreign Oflice in Tokio three days ago. It was neither a “representation” nor a protest, and was not accompanied by any threats of reprisals. The United Stales expressed concern for her nationals and her holdings in the area. The Washington correspondent of the New York Times says the United States Government is exchanging views with Britain, France and Japan, looking to an adjustment of the controversy in Tientsin, preferably through arbitration. It is reported in Paris that the Japanese are relaxing their blockade of the French concession. The Tientsin correspondent of the Domei News Agency, in ari “inspired” despatch, suggests that the crisis might be ended if Britain agrees not to interfere in the new order in North China ; to release the silver, valued at £2,500,000. held in the concession on behalf of Chinese specie hanks; to joint suppression of terrorists and the surrender of the four assassins; also to the reorganisation of the administration of the concession.