Naval Talks and Tonnages The naval talks which begin next
week between Germany and Great Britain are to be welcomed if only because they represent an attempt, however modest, to tie together the broken strings of the disarmament discussions. The position from 'which Herr Hitler starts is known, for he restated it in his recent speech. Germany declares her intention to build up to 35 per cent. of the strength of the British fleet. There is plenty of room for negotiation there, for the German fleet at present would have few duties to discharge outside home waters, and its concentration in the North Sea would give it equality with the British and superiority to the French in that region. But one dominant issue must arise immediately. Herr Hitler has declared his willingness to accept any reasonable limitation in the size of ships which other countries will accept equally. As Admiral Richmond has once more demonstrated in The Times the case for abolishing the 35,000 or even the 25,000-ton capital ship is overwhelming. If such vessels are not prohibited Germany will build them, as France and Italy have just begun, after a long interval, to build them. The result on all national finances will be disastrous—on our own most of all, since practically the whole of our capital ship fleet is obsolescent, and will have to be replaced if this type is to survive. Relative strengths will be maintained with the capital ship or without it. But one course means the increase, the other the reduction of armaments.
Previous page
