Evening star., 1934-12-16
FLEET ATTACKS
7 SINGAPORE FORT
British Destroyers and
Planes Move on Strong
hold to Test Value.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
SINGAPORE, December 15.-The
defenses of Singapore, Great Britains
"Gibraltar of the East" were pr1med
tonight to repulse a concerted al
tack" from the sea and air.
The climax of maneuvers in prog
xess for a week, the mock assault was
intended to apply the acid test to the
powerful outpost, under construction
for more than decade.
Eighteen British destroyers and a
carrier with "a planes ploughed the
China Sea, without lights.
Batteries Ready.
Ashore, the powerful batteries were
manned by artillerymen, the Royal Air
Force tuned the motors of its planes
and 1000 troops were ready to repel
any attempt by the invaders to put
out landing force.
When the maneuverS are completed,
British military and naval experts ex-
pect to determine how far they have
progressed in their determination to
make Singapore as nearly impregnable
as any naval base in the world.
Situated at the eaSternmOSt UP OF
the Malay Peninsula, midway between
India and China, Singapore domi-
mates the approach to the Orient al
most as Gibraltar does the gateway
to the Mediterranean Its develop
ment has been a matter Of primary
interest to Great Britain's Sub-equa-
torial dominions. Both Australia and
New Zealand have born a share OF
the expense.
Controls Route.
For Japan, the fortlflcatlon OF
Singapore means that the control OF
the most direct route between the
East and West is held by Great Brit
ain. Denied passage through the
Straits of Singapore, its vessels would
be compelled to make lengthy de-
tour southwark through the Neither
lands East Indies.
Mindful of such possibility, Japan
has envisioned the construction OF
canal across the Isthmus of Kra, far
IN the Malay Peninsula. Such
project, opening an avenue from the
Gulf of Siam to the Bay of Bengal,
would materially reduce the import
ance of Singapore in japanese eyes.
Cites Difficulties.
High officials of Siam, within whose
territory the isthmus lies. denied as
recentlv as last week that the kra
Canal was receiving serious consldera-
ton. Pointing out that the 4O-mlle-
wide strip of land is studded with
pnUinpprlnQ
and financial aspects of construction
we're so great they would dwarf by
comparison the problems presented in
building the Panama Canal.
While minimizing the Importance
of reports that Siam and Japan were
working together in Far Eastern mat
tiers, Siamese officials took keen in
terest in the activities at Singapore.
A staff of Siamese military experts
was on hand to witness the British
maneuvers.
Great Britain launched its Singapore
development in 1922. Progress
languished during the ascendancy OF
the Labor party, but since 1928 the
work has gone steadily forward. Orig
inal estimates called for an expendi-
ture of $43,000,000.
Air Post Contemplated.
Deep-water docks and facilities for
the repair and fueling of vessels are
being constructed along with gun en-
placements and fortified positions.
Parallel with these activities, plans
have been laid to establish in Singa-
pore an air post comparable IN
strength with the naval base. Atten-
ton was attracted to this phase OF
the project during the England-to-
Melbourne Air Derby.
One of Great Britain's foremost
aviation experts, Sir William Forbes
Sempill, remarked at that time,
"Singapore is destined to be one OF
the greatest airports in the world IN
the near future"
Aerial forces stationed at Singa-
pore are regarded as the ports first
line of defense. They played an i'm
portant part in this weeks maneuvers.
In the attack, which brings the war
games to a climax, they will attempt
to locate and bomb the raiders be-
fore they are able to move on the
straits.
Whatever the theoretical success OF
this maneuver, Singapore will not be
deprived Of the spectacle of attack
from sea. The enemy" will be per-
n1itted to launch its assault directly
on the port to provide a complete
trial of the efficiency of its defenses.