Ogden Sun | 1905-09-26 | Page 8 | Britain to Have Vast Naval Base

BRITAIN TO HAVE VAST NAVAL BASE london sept 24 to fact that the british government purposes to establish a vast naval base at singapore which was announced by the sunday observer with the suggestion that this was the first tangible u esula of the new anglo japanese alliance and the conclusion of the russo japanese war affords the newa an opportunity to discuss the of using singa pore as a base which was announced some time ago ben admiral fisher reorganization plan the newspapers now point out the tremendous strategic value of singapore as guarding the gateway of the pacific and when open to japan s warships as giving great britain and japan the whip hand over the other europea n countries where tho far east is concerned some of alio morning papers aro inclined to dwell upon this phase of the acquirement of the singapore docks as hough just at this time it a demonstration of power by great britain but the governments intention to purchase uie docks at singapore has been an open secret for many months and according 10 good authority the british government is simply facing the result of the new strategic situation in the far east and providing her navy with convenient u insa pore which is tho center of the far cast the japanese alliance permitted the withdrawal of five battleships from the china seas and there is no intention in times of peace to dispatch a battleship to the far past the three cruisers groups the china the east indies and the australian squadrons will remain as before meanwhile the extensive blocks of the company will be purchased at a price to be fixed by the arbitrators now in the far east of which sir michael hacks beach Is the umpire and great britain will have gnp of the finest naval bases in the world and one which in the event of war bould be of tho highest strategic alue