28 APRIL 1939, Page 6

It seems possible that 'Repulse,' which I mentioned last week

as being one of the only three ships in the British Navy which could cope with the German pocket-battleships now cruising off Spain, may not go off to Canada with the King after all. I might have added that of the two other battle-cruisers 'Hood ' is refitting, and ' Renown ' under reconstruction. On the other hand the two new French battle-cruisers ' Dunkerque ' and 'Strasbourg,' which can out-steam and out-range the pocket-battleships, are avail- able. Even so the case for keeping ' Repulse ' in European waters is strong.