JAPAN’S NAVY.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 July 1922, Page 3

JAPAN’S NAVY.

■ THE NEW PROGRAMME. If - ? Of Japan’s new navy programme, it is said that the four 10,000-tonners, mounting Bin. guns, are designed up to the extreme limit imposed under the Washington agreement. They will make the strongest light-cruiser squadron in the world. Not improbably they may ultimately become each the flagship of a light-cruiser squadron. The four new 7000-tonners are probably designed for fleet duties as fast scouts. But it is the 24 new 1500-ton cruisers which must be viewed with most concern. They mark a radical departure in naval construction. Since they are no larger than H.M.A.S. Anzac—herself smaller than some later British destroyers—it must be presumed that these Japanese craft are not designed for offensive purposes against destroyers. It seems most likely that if they are true to the light-cruiser designs, their use must be for commerce-raid-ing.

A correspondent, commenting on the Japanese naval programme, and referring to the light cruisers, states: — “Any nation with large numbers of craft of this type must constitute a grave menace to ocean-borne trade. Can i Australia afford to cut down her naval defence? Senator Pearce’s opinions, recently expressed, about the certainty of « naval peace, do not appear tn be altogether warranted by the facts. Nor does the recent criticism in some quarters of our existing light cruisers. It is held in the Royal Australian Navy that by reason of their great steaming radius these cruisers are units of immense value. But they are inferior to the latest ships of the Royal Navy, and much inferior to the new ships designed by Japan. Japan’s programmemakes it essential that the Empire, Australia contributing, must henceforth maintain adequate light-cruiser strength in these waters.”