FRANCE HURRIES TO STRENGTHEN HER NAVY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 614, 16 March 1929, Page 9

FRANCE HURRIES TO STRENGTHEN HER NAVY

ITALY NOT TO HAVE ALL HER OWN WAY IN MEDITERRANEAN Times Cable Reed. 9.5 a.m. LONDON, Friday. ”Tfie maintenance ol communications with French North Africa is the most vital point of the French naval policy,” said M. Lemery, in introducing to the French Senate a Bill authorising the construction of a cruiser, six destroyers, and seven submarines in the present half-year. “War between France and Italy is inconceivable; but if France were involved in a war, she would be compelled to divide her forces. Italy would thereby be enabled to dictate her own terms in the Mediterranean. “If Italy helped to maintain French communications, she would certainly demand a colony as a reward.” France needed capital ships capable of meeting any emergency. This might constitute a race in naval armaments, but it would contribute to peace by inspiring a respect toward France. M. Lemery doubted If the new ships were sufficient, in view of the German and Italian programmes. The President of the Senate’s naval comumittee agreed that the programme was insufficient. M. Marraud, on behalf of the Government, said the Government was examining the whole situation in view of the lapsing of the Franco-British compromise. In the meantime, the present programme must he carried out. The vote was passed by 272 to 28.