The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1930. A BIG PROBLEM AHEAD OF THE NAVAL CONFERENCE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXX, Issue 11124, 6 February 1930, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1930. A BIG PROBLEM AHEAD OF THE NAVAL CONFERENCE

As far as can be gathered, not a gr eat deal of real progress lias, so far, boon'made at the Naval Conference in regard to the major issue, which, of course, ,is what shall lie the basis of further reductions in naval strength. In the main, talk prior thereto centred round the problems of maximum tonnage and maximum gunnage. There had been, as is also well-known, some discussion on the point that further buildjug of certain classes of vessels, as, for instance, submarines should be prohibited but it seems that some nations aro insistent. that submarines form really tho best, as well as the least costly, naval weapon that can he employed. What then, will bo the advantage of. the current conference if the maximum size of surface war vessels shall again he heav-

ily reducod and all the nations continue to have the right to increase not only the size of suhmersibles hut also to build as many vessels of that kind as they may desire? As it so happens. Britain has not, by any means, the strongest fleet of - suh-

mersible vessels. The figures in thisicgard in relation to the largest naval Powers are. indeed, illuminating, beuTg as under: United States 127; France Si), Japan 77, Britain 70, and; \ltaly 56. There would appear to be’ unanimity over the proposal that the size of battleships shall be further reduced. As regards submersihles, however, it it known that it will l>e strongly contended that they shall be free from any limitations. In this regard. Sir Archibald Hurd points out that, at the Washington Conference in 1921, a British proposal to have- a l,imit fixed as to the number and ffize of submarines failed to meet with favor. The conference, in strict fact, merely assented to a. suggestion, embodied in a series of punts resolutions brought forward by ilenator Root, that the use of subamarines against merchant shipping should, in future, be banned. Seemingly, the strongest supporter of the submersible at the current- conference will he France, for that nation has now obtained the lead in regard to under-water vessels with the largest /and most remarkable submarine thpt has ever been built. The vessel

w\ question is the Surcouf, which is, in fact, a submersible cruiser, and which’ carries even a seaplane to be used, for reconnoitring. She will carry suffieient fuel for a cruise of 12,000 miles, which means that she could go from Cherbourg to Cape Town hack without putting into any paft for oil fuel, food, or other stores X could cross the Atlantic and cruise along the coast of Canada and the United States, at length returning to her base with a reserve of oik fuel still left- in her tanks. Her size suggests great defensive and cffens.ive powers, and in both inspects no -rival in any navy of the She is armed with four o.oin. Jfuns, and is pierced with 11 torfpedo tubes, and she will carry no fewer than 30 torpedoes. The Surcouf, indeed, is an ideal commerce destroyer because she could break any blockade in a submerged condition, and, getting to sea. could remain bidden for weeks, in the meanyffne attacking either surface menor merchant ships. According to Sir Archibald Hurd, the building of these great submarines is the most disturbing feature of the naval situation. “It is”, he says, “one which the forthcoming conference . will he unable to disregard, because the existence of such vessels will necessar\\f throw upon countries with exjkised trade routes the burden of Hmilding and maintaining largo num-l-jcrs of surface craft.” If the conference is to be successful, it requires to place limitations on submcrsibles as well as upon surface vessels.