The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16 1933. NAVAL SITUATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1933, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16 1933. NAVAL SITUATION.

The fact that very substantial additions to the British navy are about to be made, is clue to the necessity of the case. Britain conformable with treaties has been reducing ships and personnel to a degree which has been declared to bo below the safety line. TV at there is a very present safety lino, is indicated by the relations between United States and Japan. The former has concentrated both the Pacific and Atlantic fleets in the Pacific Ocean, presumably for “the greatest manoeuvres the world has ever seen.” Japan does not like or perhaps believe this explanation, and America is reminded that the Japanese interests in the Pacific are as vital as America’s. This is almost an invitation to step on .;he tail of the Japanese toga or if there is any inclination to so step, Japan is ready. Just as Japan •s ready for any naval emergency, so must Britain be equally prepared for possibilities. Great Britain has a vast oversea domain, and all routes must be kept .safe for British commerce. With evident feeling between United States and Japan, Britain cannot be an urn concerned Onlooker, for there are widespread British interest's in the Pacific, and these must be kept inviolate. To assist with disarmament, Britain has given the most sincere gesture, and heavy reductions in strength have been made. Other mnri ime nations have not been so fn- , 'dueled, and some of the lesser European navies have been reinforced by very modern war ships capable of great achievements in speed and gunnery. These are two branches of naval -trength which Britain cannot afford to ignore, and it is not comforting to 'earn that at present Britain is now weaker than 150 years ago, and has c ewer modern cruisers than Japan or United States. Britain’s present programme is to be gauged by the foreign Powers’ actions, and to rival those of my Power which may seek to outdistance Britain. This is a nece's tv horn of ir/ernational conditions. Brit-t-'in haw to live up' to its naval motto of “ready, aye ready,” if her rights and interests are to be concerned. There is a very unsettled world at present, and any event may cause a new alignment of "forces. Britain must b.e prepared for any such untoward circumstance, and the news from Home indicates steps are proposed along definite lines. The pace will be gauged from foreign emulation, but Britain must keep a position which will maintain the Empire securely from foreign attack. Britain has great naval achievements to her credit and a prestige which gives inherent strength to her forces, hut- the ships and the men mui-t he at hand to back up the doings of history. It is regrettable that such a position is being forced on the world, hut the race in naval armaments seems, to be possible when other avenues of international development are barred by financial } obligations. There seems to be a way out of the entanglements of debt when it jisi a question of providing stronger navies, and Britain will have to keep step, with the nations in this matter of national security.