1937-04-20 — Page 15

THE HONGKONG

TELEGRAPH. TUESDAY, ÁPRIL 20, 1937.

HUGE SOVIET SUBMARINE FLEET MAY BE DECIDING FACTOR IN PACIFIC WAR Institute Survey Discloses Large Concentrations Near Japan

MOST POTENTIAL

WEAPON IN THE FAR EAST

San Francisco, Apr. 10.

In the event of a Soviet-Japanese war, the former's -ever growing submarine fleet in Far Eastern water, would probably be the deciding factor, according to a sur- vey just completed by the Institute of Pacific Relations.

The Institute points out that while the size and .significance of the Soviet's underwater weapon is not fully known, it nevertheless constitutes next to the Russian air fleet, the most potential, spectacular and significant weapon of the Soviet Union in the Far East.

The survey of the Institute, which has covered a long period of tune, places the best estimate of the number of Soviet submarines in the Far East at 145. This figure is a little more conservative than that of other authorities, who estimate that out of a total submarine flotilla of 250 units, the Soviets at the present time have a minimum of 150 boats in the Far East, while other authorities run even a still higher.

These submarines are at the pre- | would be especially useful in close sent time based at Vladivostok as is range activities near home without

from also the greater portion of the Rusly obliged to proceed far

slon air fleet the Far East.

Against this greatest concentration of submarines which the world has ever seen, the Japanese, according to thele latest oelal figures have only a submarine tonnage of 68,208 tons or 55 vessels. Even this surpasses both the United States and Great Britain as far as mere tonnage is concerned, although both the latter have a greater number of units, hav ing built a smaller sized for defen- sive operations close to home.

The Japanese too, in fact, favour at the present time smaller sub- marines of about 700 tons each whieh

Big Changes

In U.S. Navy Construction

their base.

The Institute of Pacific relations believes that the narrow and exposed sen lane which constitutes Japan's only line of communications between her mainland, her now extensive in- terests in Asin, and what

nt would the site of any conflict with Russia,

be

and which is thus constantly open to Rusalan submarines altnek might easily prove the uneasy and fateful ink for her in a new Soviet-Japan-

Trans-Siberian railway for ese conflet as did the single track during the Russian-Japanese War.

Rússia

In any event, the Institute holds that the exploiting of any such weakness, the decisive part would fall to the Soviet submarine fleet.

The Institute's survey finds that the probable region for such a submarine warfare in the Far East would be at the Trushima Stralts, where Japan sank the Kussion feet during the Russian-Japanese war, This not only constitutes the most effective outlet

10

to the Sen of Japan, but it is also the most convenient route between

Japan and the mainland of Asta which the former would be obliged to use in maintaining her lines of communications for the carrying of supplies and troops to any conflict in Eastern Asia.

Washington, April 20. Revolutionary construction methods will be utilized by thei The Institute points out that the navy in this country's two new Straits of Tsushima are only 650 mites from the Soviet's submarine battleships, naval officers have base at Vladivostok, a distance which decided

| could be covered in two days by a "submarine travelling on the surface at the low speed of 15 inlles an hour, and not much under three days if running submerged about half the

Typical of the plan to modernize every feature of the new dread noughts, the navy is going to utilize electric welding to a large extent in- stead of old fashioned rivets to the the steel plates together.

time at 10 miles on hour

RUSSIAN SUPERIORITY

As against these conservative esti- They expect to save a maximum of mates, the Institute quotes Admiral Nicholas Orlov, chief of the Naval

PROTESTS ONCE MORE-Wearing a funereal expression, Dr. Hans Luther, German Ambassador, climbs the steps to the State Department in Washington, to protest once more that Chancellor Hitler, has been criticised. This time he referred to the recent mass meeting in New York, and Secretary Hull oguln, deplored it. Counsellor Hans Thomsen ut right.

Devil's Island Fugitive Hides in Jungle

Six Months Unarmed

By A CORRESPONDENT

Panama, Apr. 5.

A FUGITIVE from the dread French penal colony of Devil's Island told me to-day of his escape and his adventures, be- fore he disappeared once more into the Central American jungle in his flight from justice.

י

L

He Is Rene Belbenalt, who escaped four times from French penal settle- ments Gulana, Four times he was recaptured, Twice he was sentenced to solitary conûrement Devil's Island.

Then be made one final bli and gained his freedom. After a series of incredible hardships and adventures he arrived in. Panama. Here he is bluing from the authorlites and within a few hours he will again be heading for freedom.

This dark-haired, pale-faced, French- man talked to me in the corner of an obscure cafe.

"In 1921 I was convicted for theft In Paris and was sentenced to right years' hard labour in the French penal colony in French Guiana," he

nld quietly.

1,000 tons weight in each ship com-forces of the U.S.S.R. as declaring "In Gulana I was set to work in! pared with the weight of similar that the type of submarines which the jungle, cutting down trees. I the Soviets have developed to date, had not been there a fortnight before are "faster and able to remain sub-I made my first escape. merged longer than any other in the |ESCAPED IN CANOE world."

ships in which riveting was used. This, they believe, will mean a correspond ing saving in the anwunt of steel and construction and operating costs and will assure added speed, efficiency and manoeuvrability.

The welded ship, engineers said, will be just as strong as a riveted vessel.

From all information that can be obtained it appears that the Soviet has applied the principle of muss production to submarines. The parts are manufactured in the big indus- trial centres of the Soviet Union, shipped vin the Trans-Siberian rail- way to Vladivostok, where they are being continually assembled.

even

University Sets Out To Find The Ideal "Co-ed”

Iowa City, In., Apr. 10. "I got into Dutch Gulana, but The winner of the co-ed test

the University within a few days the authorities at arrested me and sent me back to the prison settlement.

"A month later I escaped again. This time I was with six other

convicts.

"We stole

Thirty-five candidates for the honour have answered 23 questions in writing. The co-ed with the a canoe and paddled highest percentage of "deal"

British Swers will be acclaimed the winner.

Here are the questions:

BROKE PAROLE

Duke Of Kent New Fashion Leader

London, Apr. 15.

King George VI, staid and conservative in all things, has passed Edward's mantle

of masculine style leader ship to the youngest of the royal brothers, the Duke of Kent.

The coronation issue of "Style | Guide," a handsome five shilling annual describing and illustrat- ing what the correct Briton will wear, admits that no startling dress innovations may be ex-; pected from George VI.

It is issued by the publishers of "Man-and His Clothes" edited by H. A. Prince, a very "pash" monthly generaly credited with being the Inst word on men's styles.

"The throne has ever been a great inspiration to those whose business editor is to create fashions," the attes in a foreword. "The sponsor- ing of a fashion by a member of the royal family has often been the de- elding factor.

"One of the most noteworthy of these

Instances was when King Edward VII adopted the Homburg hat and the lounge sult, But for his influence, these comfortable gar- ments might, have passed oway into }.

THE FEATHERMAC

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FITTING.

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THE "MACNOVA" COAT

THE SUPREME LIGHTWEIGHT RAINCOAT No Rubber, No Oil, Nothing To Go Wrong

oblivion as soon as the young bloods No Weight, No Bulk, Proof, Yet Porous

of Mayfair tired of them.

EDWARD'S FASHIONS

"King Edward VIII, too, both dur- ing the time he was Erince of Walen and during his brief reign, was re- sponsible for many of our fushions. During his 25 years of publie le he, perhaps more than any other, was the instrumental factor in Britain's retnining world leadership in style.

"The present King, George VI, has never been seen other than correctly dressed. His tastes are conservative -the manner in which he wears them is the essence of neatness. Even at camp in summer his shorts are properly creased, his coat cor- reetly buttoned. It is unlikely that he will be responsible for any sterile ing innovations in dress.

"The Duke of Kent promises to assume the mantle of style lender- ship. While he is rarely extrany, he has a definite flair for the unusual. For some time now the stylists, bolly of this country and the United States, have regarded him with increasing interest. The present day fashion of wearing a double-breasted dinner Jacket with a soft shirt and collar is considered, to have reached its present popularity in England account of his well imown fondness for this dress."

WEAR WHAT YOU PLEASE

on

The essence of "Style Guide" is that coronation or no coronation, a man may wear just about what he pleases, within reason and be car- rectly dressed,

somewhat

cut

Collar points are will of Iowa be announced to-night, although the awny, and short, with a wide open- Judges have never seen the candi-ing to take a large sailor knot of the cravat. The wedding "uniform" is dates or their photographs.

unchanged and the waistcoat. may The Latest in silk umbrellas, be gray or fawn, with gray favoured. મ Briton's most essential article of an-"dress" has a rhinoceros-hide handle. Dinner jackets are single or double breasted, peaked or shawl lapel. For the single-breasted model, a wing collar is obligatory, and so is an opera hat, "Style Guldo" snys.

In overcoats, a single-breasted, Ay-front Chesterfield is favoured for town wear, although the popular double-breasted cont is approved. For the Chesterfield, a black Hom- burg

Is recommended.

career?

up?

In suitings the same old grays; blues and browns are presented, with a lively green cheviot inserted to break the monotony, Dark gray, blue-gray and blue were placed one, two, three us favourites, with u peaked lapel, double-breasted cut. recommended.

THOSE "TAILS"

Engineers preparing plans and specifications for the new ships have taken a leaf out of the German naval constructors' book which enabled the

in down to Georgetown The Institute points out that while Guinna. The journey took us eight -German navy to launch the "pocket

battleship" Deutschland several years means of defence against the sub-days, but on arrival we were arres Do you favour marriage over a ogo. The Deutschland Was hailed marine have been improved since widely at the time as the most the world war, nevertheless the related and sent back.

Do you consider appearance more efficient fighting craft of its size and tive strength of submarines and de- "I was transferred to Charvain, important than intellectual achieve- weight aftout..

fence systems remains about the known to the convlets as the Deathment?

same as it was then.

Comp. There the prisoners have to Are you more domestically than They pointed out that the German "'pocicet battleship" was a hybrid The Institute believes the Japanese work naked in the jungle, so that athletically inclined? cruiser-battleship

Do you favour the use of make created of the would lay down their most formid-ey have little chance of escape. I necessity of German builders staying obie barrage of submarine defence did get away-but only for 24 hours.

Do you favour moderate drinking within the limitations of the Versalles in the Tsushima straits, but admit "My punishment was six months' over no drinking at all? Treaty,

which set a maximum of that the World war experience de-solitary confinement on Devil's Istond

Do you prefer smooth music to tons displacement

the closest Itself. the monstrated that 13

swing music? largest ship that might be built by barrage system cannot be per- Germany,

Do you prefer conservative danc While remaining within manently and continually effective.

Ing to swing type? this limitation, the German designers sought to construct a capital ship in the Insitute about 80 per cent. of According to the data collected by

Would you marry for love instead "I was put on parole, but I broke of money? every sense of the word, except for the damage done by German sub-it at the first opportunity, slowed Would you marry before you obj tonnage displacement.

marines during the world war was away on`a freighter, and arrived attained your degree?

HELPING HUBBY. Electric welding was used ex- the work of about 10 per cent, of the Havre. tensively throughout the ship

Would you take a job to help your to submarines engaged. They estimate "But I did not have a free hour save space and weight, Armour plate therefore that the Soviets

husband if even to

necessary? in my native land. I was arrested Was welded Instead of the usual make one submarine effective out of at once and sent back for another would make an ideal family?

How many children do you think riveling, with the result that stream-ten would have to maintain the high spell on Devil's Islatil

Do you believe in an extensive Tining was achieved, making possible technieni proficiency of the German

"Once more was technically wardrobe? more speed and greater economy of submarine service. This, of course, operation.

still remains n unknown quantity, 'freed,' 'and_began to plan my foul | How many dates a week do you but nevertheless, the great numerieni escape. In May, 1935, I put out in think you should keep? American engineers plan to utilise superiority of the Soviet submarine an Indian canoe with five other con-

Are cooking and sewing among electric welding to a great extent in feet would seem to give them

"When riding, at all times wear a an vists for Trinidad, but was arrested, your major interest? attaching the armourplate on the new advantage over Japan. battleships. Welding will be used on

"I was six months in prison before mics to one in home economics?

Do you prefer a course in econo- hard felt or top hat, Apart from it being one of those litte niceties The Institute has many interlor Joints and beams and

of style which distinguish the well- further ascer- I got away again, and set out alone

Do you smoke? probably to some extent in the framtained that the Soviets are

dressed from the merely dressed, - It now along the coast.

Do you

rend two to turn out a 35,000 the that

"Unarmed, with no equipment of daily?

newspapers acts as a safeguard against concus battleship which will be hunt on to reach a decision in a Far Eastern any vert, I spent more than six months

Do you go to a beauty parlour between the rider's head and the Elon of the brain when it is inserted performance and fighting ability of conflict would bring to a head the in the jungle.

more than once a week? any 40,000 tons ship built under old pan, they believe, a war would be to Colon, and a follow-countryman Incipient social unrest in Japan. In "Slowly I made my way up the coast

ground when Is your hair short?

descending from the saddle in any impromptu manner." type of construction.

Do you prefer sports

Out of populor for only the first few months gave me my fare to Panama.

seven illustrations of Officials said no decision had been or perhaps the first year, but no

dressy clothes? "'I am dree now," he concluded

next to the skin"-plain Are music and arts among your underwear to you no fewer than reached concerning the size of the longer, so that the Soviets, with their grimly. "But one slip, and I shall be consuming talents?

five models are wool or part, wool guns to be mounted on the new ships numerical superiorily of submarines, sent back to Devil's Island. To-

Would you like to be active in and four have sleeves. The other but it is generally belleved that the could prolong the war then, until marrow I shall leave Panama; and politica? main Battery will be 10-inch-vletory would be theirs.-United (within a few days I hope to be safely

two go to the other extreme, Jockey United Press,

Press.

In the jungles—and still free,"

Do you lose your temper upon pro- shorts "the newest style. In men's vocation?United Press,

|nunderwear.”—United, Prásn

wear ta

"Style Guide" says the correct de- finition of the occasions upon which it is essential to wear "talls" is "in the evening, whenever there ladies present." Waaded black or midnight blùò fine barathea' is the approved material.

Bro

The section on riding clothes ends with this paragraph:

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