Britain Warned

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 873, 17 January 1930, Page 9

Britain Warned

PROJECT TO ABOLISH BATTLESHIPS Efficient “ Pocket Cruiser ” KNOTTY PROBLEMS FOR CONFERENCE United P.A. —By Telegraph—Copyright Received 10.15 a.in. LONDON, Thursday. Exactly what Britain’s intentions are at the Five-Power Naval Conference regarding battleships is being prominently discussed. There is no denying the fact that Germany has set a new problem with her pocket-battleship, the Ersatz Preussep, which it is claimed is able to smash any cruiser, and also to escape from any battleship. The Ersatz Preussen is a very direct reminder of the need for the most extreme care and foresight in fixing a new tonage limit on battleships because she is virtually a battleship within the Washington cruiser limit.

The most important points in a statement made by the Prime Minister, Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, as expressed by an ofiicial spokesman, were that a clear indication was given that the' Government favours the complete abolition of battleships and submarines and that the ciuestion of cruisers apparently is still open. At a meeting with journalists Mr. MacDonald said: “Battleships cost £7,000,000. Viewed in the light of efficiency, with the developments of other arms, this makes these, in the Government’s view, very doubtful propositions. “The Government would really like to see the Powers agree to a process whereby battleships would disappear. The suggestion now made concerning a reduction in gun-power might form a transitional phase toward the final scrapping of these huge and expensive craft. “There is also a suggestion that replacement might be deferred until 1935-6 instead of next year, as provided for under the Washington Treaty.” CONFLICTING WITH ADMIRALTY The “Daily Telegraph,” in an editorial article, complains that when the question was asked whether the Dominions had agreed to a policy which involved alarming reductions there was no answer. The paper infers that the Dominions either have not been consulted or have not been given time to come to a decision. It is deduced that the official spokesman was not in a position to know what had happened at the meeting between Mr. MacDonald and the Dominion representatives. This does not affect the “Daily Telegraph’s” point about consultation before a decision, instead of when a decision is fixed, or practically fixed. Mr. Hector Bywater, naval correspondent of the “Telegraph,” asserts that the Cabinet is inclined to regard battleships as an anachronism owing to their exposure to overhead and under-water attack. However, that is not the view of the Admiralty and the Sea Lords. The “Daily Herald” says the Washington Treaty provided that no new battleships should be built until after 1936, but in the meantime it permitted the replacement of ships that were obsolete, inasmuch as they were 20 years old. “ SCRAP THE LOT ” Under that arrangement, says the paper. Britain In 1931 would lay down two battleships for completion in 1934, when the Iron Duke class will become obsolete. Two more would be laid down in 1932, one in 1933, two in. 1934, one in 1935 and two in 1936. Therefore, within the Washington period, Britain would have built, or be building, 10 battleships at a cost of £7,000,000 each. In the same period the United States would have laid down 10 and France, Italy and Japan would have laid down others. The paper quotes approvingly Lord Fisher’s advice with reference to battleships, namely: “Scrap the lot.” The general feeling is that the Government will not propose the immediate abolition. This might be the cherished dream of the Cabinet, and idealists might be prepared to go to any length in disarmament for the sake of world peace; but in deference to the Admiralty experts, the Prime Minister, Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, will probably be content to seek lengthening the life of existing ships, and thus avoid replacement. But if the latter is necessary, he would ask for smaller tonnage and gun calibres.

BATTLESHIPS TOO HEAVY SUPPORT FOR MACDONALD PRESERVATION OF SHIP RATIO British Official Wireless Reed. Noon. RUGBY, Thursday. The intimation that the British Government at the Naval Conference will make a proposal equivalent to an extension of the Washington “holiday” in battleship building is widely approved in newspaper comments here. It is understood the Government will suggest that replacement will be avoided by extending the life of existing battleships. Such ail agreement would last possibly until 1936. If after that it is felt that replacement is necessary, the new vessels should be of lower tonnage and lower gun calibre. The Conservative Press agrees that battleships have grown much too large and costly. “The Times’’ recently advocated a reduction and the “Morning Post” and “Daily Telegraph” approve the general lines of the Government’s approach to this question, which is regarded as much less complete than some of the other problems to be dealt with at the conference. OTHER NATIONS CONCERNED The “Morning Post” points out that: “If the standard set at asliington were to be greatly reduced, Britain would still have at very much less cost, the same ratio of strength and the same measure of security. Heavy ships are by far the biggest items on every naval bill, and so this question from the point of view of economics is most important. But principle of reductions and cost might be carried through other categories with proportionate results.” The "Daily Telegraph” suggests that replacement ships, if and when replacement becomes necessary, should not exceed 25,000 tons, mounting guns of no greater calibre than 12in. The “Manchester Guardian thinks

It will be all to tho good if battleships are tackled separately, but it says that post-war battleships concern Britain, the United States and Japan, and that France and Italy have none. Therefore, if progress is to be made in Europe, it is in respect of other classes of ships that it must be made. AMERICANS DELAYED The liner George Washington, in which the American delegates to the conference are travelling, lias been delayed by a gale, and is unlikely to reach Plymouth before 7 o’clock tomorrow morning. General Dawes, the American Ambassador in London, is going to Plymouth to meet them. The Mayor of Plymouth will greet the delegation before they entrain for London. AMERICA SURPRISED CO-OPERATION ON SUBMARINES QUESTION NEW YORK, Wednesday. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” says the declaration of the British Prime Minister, Mr. MacDonald, in favour of the abolition of battleships has caused some surprise there. In view of the attitude of the United States and Japan in regard to battleships it is believed that the suggestion will not be adopted at the Five Powers Naval Conference any more than will the proposal of Britain and the United States to abolish submarines. Altogether Mr. MacDonald’s desire for a reduction in all categories of ships is strongly welcomed in Washington and he will find the United States collaborating with him. WORLD-WIDE BROADCAST KING’S OPENING SPEECH SHORT WAVE TO DOMINION Reed. 9.5 a.m. LONDON, Thursday. When King George rises in the Royal Gallery of the House of Lords on January 21 to open the FivePower Naval Conference by speaking into a silver and gold microphone, he will have the largest audience in the history of the world. The British Broadcasting Company’s transmitters, Canadian beam, transatlantic and Continental telephone will all be used to carry the Royal message of peace into millions of homes throughout the world. Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Finland and Japan will be served by a short-wave broadcast. It will be heard in New Zealand about 11 o’clock in the evening, Nova Scotia at 7 o’clock in the morning. Vancouver at 3 o’clock in the morning, and Japan at 8 o’clock in the evening. NO ROYAL PRETENCE

There is to be no State pageantry about the King’s journey from Buckingham Palace to the House of Lords on Tuesday to declare the conference open. His Majesty will drive in a closed motor-car and wear morning dress. He will travel to London from Sandringham on Monday, arriving at Buckingham Palace at about midday. In tbe afternoon he will receive the heads of the different naval delegations. This reception will be in the nature of a private greeting to enable his Majesty to make the acquaintance of the delegates and wish them success in their labours. The King will return to Sandringham on Tuesday afternoon after a stay of 24 hours in London. FRANCE DISPLEASED WILL OPPOSE SUBMARINE ABOLITION Reed. 12.36 p.m. PARIS, Thursday. Freneh semi-official opinion is that Mr. MacDonald is not expressing the British Navy’s view when he advocates the abolition of capital ships. M. Tardieu, the French Premier, does not conceal his opinion that the conference will reveal a wide divergence between British and American views regarding battleships, enabling France to counter any concerted move to abolish submarines. Both tbe Foreign and the Navy Offices in France definitely decline to assent to the abolition >f submarines till all surface ships have been abolished. DOMINIONS SATISFIED CONTRARY RUMOUR DENIED FAITH IN MACDONALD Reed. 12.36 p.m. LONDON, Thurs. It is learned that there is no foundation for Opposition newspapers suggesting that the Dominion delegates were not consulted iu reference to the British Government’s policy. A Dominion representative states: “Mr. Ramsay MacDonald so fully, ably, and completely outlined the policy that the Dominion delegates, of their own volition, cancelled the arrangements for a further meeting today.”