NAVAL EXPANSION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 34, 10 February 1939, Page 7

NAVAL EXPANSION

GERMAN DECISIONS WITHIN ANGLO-AMERICAN AGREEMENT [ British Official Wireless. ] Received Feb. 9, 6.5 p.m. RUGBY, Feb. 8. The German decisions to mount eight-inch guns on the new 10,000ton cruiser Seydlitz and to resume fredom to construct submarine tonnage up to the British total, was the subject of seven questions on the House of Commons Order Paper. They were answered by the Parlia-, mentary Secretary to the Admiralty, Mr. G. H. Shakespeare, who made it clear that the German decisions were' in accordance with the rights conferred upon her in the Anglo-Ameri-can naval agrements of 1935 and 1937. The German Government’s standpoint in reaching these decisions, Mr. Shakespeare said, had been stated to be that in the present condition of international affairs Germany was no longer prepared to refrain from developing her naval forces to the full extent permitted by the AngloGerman Treaty. He mentioned that the increase in German tonnage did not affect the overriding condition iii the treaty that the total German naval tonnage should not exceed 35 per cent, of the aggregate tonnage of the British Commonwealth. The Minister added that the Board of the Admiralty could not agree that the exercise by Germany of any power or right conferred' upon it by the treaty could be regarded as constituting a threat to Britain or any other Power.