NAVAL DEFENCE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 277, 19 August 1919, Page 5

NAVAL DEFENCE

NEXT STORM AREA WILL BE EAST

OF SUEZ CANAL

A "SAFETY-FIRST" APPEAL

Sy Telegraph—Press ABSccidtion-Copyrlst l

London, August 13.

A high naval authority, interviewed regarding tho reorganisation of the naval defence of the Empire, said that although Lord Jellicoo was visiting all the Dominions in nil advisory capacity,-his recommendations of the amount of seapower it would be necessary for Britain to maintain in tho future eastward of Suez would bo of paramount importance, because the Admiralty regards this region as the next danger i»ne, although no troublo is anticipated for perhaps a few years. Therefore much stronger naval forces are likely to be stationed in Australian and New Zealand waters. ! Lord Jellicoo is known to favour local Dominion naval units. His advice would 1m particularly helpful lo tho New Zealand* Government, which must consider the maximum burden of expense it is able to bear. Tho Admiralty's policy will probably be to supplement the Dominion forces with ships necessary. to ensure the security of the Empire in accordance with Lord Jellicoc's report. Lord Jellicoo will probably suggest the formation of an Indian naval unit, with a proportion of native officers and nieii, thus establishing a great Pacific ileet, consisting of Indian, South African, Australian, Now Zealand, and Canadian units, capablo of operating under a single command. Lord Jellicoo will also recommend tho creation of a permanent Imperial Naval Board, on which a representative of each Dominion will sit in London to deal with all naval operations. The board will periodically visit Dt minions, and sit with the local naval boards at Melbourne and Wellington, to consider _ the details of Australian and New Zealand defence. Lord Jellicoe's visit will probably result in the provision of a much greater naval force for Canada, to protect its long coastlines. It is anticipated that Lord Jellicoo will favour a greater interchange of officers between the Homo and Dominion fleets. A Defensive Chain. Speaking at a. farewell luncheon to Senator Poarce, Colonel Amery, Parliamentary Secretary to tho Colonial Oflico, said that tho futuro command of the seas required an Imperial naval system, with a fully equipped base, 'including shipbuilding facilities, in every ocean. Australia, Canada, South Africa, and other parts of tho Empire should each bo capablo of building and manning its own fleets. A substitute for tho present system of Imperial defence, with its immense preponderance at ono point, was wanted, a new system consisting of a dofensivo chain of which each link would be primarily equipped to sustain its 'own defence. Politically, wo had passed tlio time when Imperial unity could bo achieved by centralisation. The true conception of tho Empire implied decentralisation and the creation of a chain of States round tho world, each entitled to regard itself as the centro of tho whole from the point of view of its duties and responsibilities.

Senator Pearco said that, assuming that Colonol Amory was speaking on behalf of tho Cabinet, )io regarded the spcech as of Imperial importance.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

The Strategic Canal. London, August 17. Tho "Times," in a leader, says tho passage of two hundred ships of tho American fleet through the Panama Canal in ten horn's in order to tako up thoir future headquarters at Snn_ Francisco, is ono of tlio landmarks in tho world history. It abolishes the old conception. of the isolation of the Pacific. It is questionable whether Britain's ideas have been adjusted to tho new outlook. Fow even realiso that tho Pacific throws the lifo of America and Canada into actual contact with tho For East, links their interests with those of Australia, and makes scattered islands most valuable, strategically and commercially. Tho British Empire is certain to benofit, especially by tho immenso changes resulting from direct communication behveon tho Atlantic and (ho Pacific. It may bo hoped that the Admiralty, aided by Lord Jellicoe, will soon work out tho new plans needed in tho immediate future.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.