BRITISH NAVAL POLICY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 146, 16 March 1921, Page 5

BRITISH NAVAL POLICY

OUTLINED BY FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY

ONE-POWER STANDARD ADHERED TO

DRASTIC ECONOMIES EFFECTED

fly Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright.

■London, March 14.

The First Lord of the Admiralty (Lord Lee), in an explanatory note on the Naval Estimates, elates that they amount to 4)91.186,000 gross and 482,479.000 net, representing a reduction of over fourteen millions on the gross, and over eight and a quarter millions on the net. estimates. Taking into account the increase in prices, wages, and .pensions, there is a comparative decrease of over nineteen millions as compared with the 1914-15 figures. It is intended to carry out tho Government policy of a one-Power standard as economically as possible, giving full weight to the special geographical and international considerations which have arisen since the war; but the Admiralty has effected ' drastic economies difficult to reconcile with the full maintenance of the Government’s declared policy. These indue the reduction of capital ships from twenty to sixteen, compared with twentyeight in 1914. It has placed four destroyer flotillas in reserve, reduced the North American and South African squadrons by a light cruiser each, and decided upon the complete temporary withdrawal of the South American squadron. The personnel has teen reduced to 121.700 officers and men, compared with 151.000 in 1915. The Hercules, Colossus, Neptune, St. Vincent, Collingwood, Temeraire, Bellerophon, and Superb have teen placed on the disposal list. The need for the gradual replacement of obsolete vessels by modern vessels embodying the lessons of the war cannot longer te disregarded. Two and a half millions have, therefore, been included in the Estimates, and this was the first instalment for replacement, but tho Government does not commit itself, nor does it contemplate building programmes in answer to any other Power. Indeed, it trusts, as the result of frank and friendly discussion with the powerful naval Powers, to avoid anything approaching competitive building. The Imperial Conference in June will afford a welcome opportunity for discussing fully with the Dominions the problem of the naval policy in relation to the Empire as a whole, and for consideration of mutual co-operation. The lines on which it will be proposed to proceed are towards the development of Dominion navies, responsible to their own Governments. and working in close co-operation under the guidance of a common doctrine. It is proposed to make gradual progress in this direction by the appointment of Dominion officers to tho staff of the Admiralty, and for a proportion of Dominiori officers to take courses nt the Staff College. The, Admiralty regrets the suspension of the airship service, but in view of the stringent financial conditions no other decision was pos-sible.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

BRITISH AVIATION SERVICES

VALUE OF AIRCRAFT IN FUTURE WAR

EXISTENCE OF CAPITAL SHIPS MAY BE JEOPARDISED. (Hee. March 15, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 14.

General Sir Frederick Sykes, addressing tho Institute of Transport, said no British civilian air service had been established, thought France was extending here, and Germany had made a start, notwithstanding the restrictions imposed by the Peace Treaty. Referring to the naval prospects, General Sykes said: "There is every indication that torpedo attack by aircraft may reach a point where the existence of giant capital ships will bo jeopardised; in fact, the xvhole question of capital ships is under consideration. At the outbreak of a future war, we may expect to see huge day and night bombers penetrating the enemy's country, and seeking to obtain the supremacy of the air. There are vast fields for the expansion, of aircraft in the British Empire. Great distances in Australia, Africa, and Canada are very suitable for air transport, and may prove more economical than the construction of railways. From the standpoint of Imperial intercommunications, commerce, and strategical security, it is extremely important that civil aviation be encouraged throughout the Empire. The Dominions and colonies are faced by many problems, and an Imperial scheme on a large scale is beyond the Empire’s resources, but if enterprises are commenced as practical undertakings on a small scale in each self-governing Dominion or colony, they should be able to be co-ordinated on an Imperial basis by linking up with the nearest portions of the Empire.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. TRANSATLANTIC FLYING SHIPS GIGANTIC AND POWERFUL VESSELS PLANNED. (Roc. March 16, 1.35 a.m.) . London, March 14. Plans have teen drawn up for gigantic transatlantic flying ships, driven by 4000-horse-power engines. The ships will be luxuriously fitted for a hundred passengers. Starting from the Thames they will te capable of reaching New York in forty hours. —"The Times. ’ THE UNITED STATES FLEET TO BE CONCENTRATED IN THE PACIFIC. New York, March 14. The New York "Tribune’s?’ correspondent at Washington learns from a high authority tliat orders for concentrating practically the entire fleet in the Pacific will be sent out within a few weeks. This is being done not as a military gesture, but merely as a return to sound naval strategy. It is pointed out that every important naval authority has declared that the division of the nation’s fleet is the height of folly, and the present division has been giving grave concern over since Mt. Daniels ordered it. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

JAPANESE PROTEST AGAINST ARMAMENTS

AN UNBEARABLE BURDEN ON THE

NATION

Osaka, March 14.

Two large mass meetings attended by business men passed resolutions declaring that the Budget gives preponderating importance to armaments, which will place an unbearable burden on the nation. and is contrary to public opinion. Messages will be sent to tho members of the House of Peers asking support for disarmament. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.