TWO NEW NAVAL TREATIES

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 463, 3 July 1937, Page 2

TWO NEW NAVAL TREATIES

Pacts With Germany And Russia Two new bilateral treaties for naval limitation between Great Britain and Russia are shortly to be signed in London, says Mr. Hector Bywater in the London “Daily Telegraph.” In ths Anglo-German pact, which will reaffirm ths 100 35 ratio of tonnage strength established by the agreement of June 18, 1935, Germany is exempted from the qualitative restriction of cruisers—Booo tons, 6-1 in. guns.—to the extent that she is authorised to build five cruisers of 10,000 tons, armed with Sin. guns.’ Three of these* ships are already in hand, the Admirtel Hipper being afloat and the Ersatz Berlin and “J” on the stocks. The two remaining ones are to be laid down at an -darly date. Owing to their modern design the five German cruisers will be better fighting ships than the 13 British 10,000-tonners, particularly as regards protection. The British vessels, however, are being modernis-

ed in rotation. Reciprocal Basis. By the Anglo-Russian agreement Russia will be permitted to arm a specified number of her new cruisers with 7.lin. guns. . Another important concession to Russia, relates to her Far Eastern fleet, based on Vladivostok. This force, I understand, is exempted from all save the* qualitative restrictions of the new treaty on condition that its ships are built in the Far East and ! kept there permanently. German op- i position to this concession has been ■ overcome only after protracted nego- I tiations. Both Germany and Russia agree i to limit their future capitl.il ships to j 35,000 tons and 16in. guns, cruisers— I other than the exceptions mentioned ' —to 8000 tons and 6.lin. guns, an*- j craft carriers to 23,000 tons, and sub- j marines to 2000 tons. They are further pledged to com- 1 municate to the British Government, * on iat reciprocal basis, advance* in- | formation of their building plans. I Up to now Russia has maintained • complete secrecy about her naval j construction.