CO129-581-16 British propaganda in Hong Kong 18-4-1939 - 29-10-1939 — Page 13

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The Navy.

When Great Britain was pursuing for so many years the policy

of disarmament the Navy was allowed to deteriorate to an almost

alarming extent. With the introduction of a rearmament policy

rapid improvement has been made. Since the first official state-

ment on rearmament was issued in 1935, the shipyards have been

steadily busy, and the British Navy is again a most formidable

striking force.

The number of vessels recently launched, laid down or

authorised is 141. This includes two battleships launched, three

laid down, and four authorised; and four cruisers launched,

fifteen laid down, and eight authorised.

In terms of displacement

the 141 vessels represent about 680,000 tons. An expert writing

in the Manchester Guardian recently pointed out that this is more

than the total amount allocated to Japan for the whole of her

fleet under the revised figures of the 1930 Limitation Agreement.

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The present position is highly satisfactory, relative to that

in other countries, but in the course of the next two years the

position in regard to battleships will have greatly improved.

ships of the 35,000 tons, 14-inch gun class will be completed by

the end of 1940. Four of the next class, the Lion, of 40,000 tons,

with 16-inch guns, should be on service by 1940. The number of

cruisers now in hand is equal to the total nuber built during the

fifteen years between 1920 and 1954. Whatever may be yet lacking

to complete the other arms of the British defence forces, the

Navy retains its traditional powerful position in the world.