The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-09-20
Life Line or Great
 Britain Threatened
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ficials here estimate that in a supreme test with the British fleet, Italy might be able to put 1,500 to 1900 fighting and bombing planes into action. The British sea force, observers here estimate, | could muster only 250 to 300 planes for such contest. Of- ficials here believed that most of the British air force would be held close to England, proper. Superior fin Subs Italy also has superiority of sub marines. Since 1922 she has laid down 54 submarines, against 23 by Britain. In other categories Great Britain has clear superb ority.
 Effectiveness of one fleet of known strength and ship categories against another fleet can be fig ured quite accurately from past naval battles. Fleet maneuver
 have worked out methods for taking care of" enemy submarines even though they are excessive in mum bers.
 Never Was Tested
 But the airplane never has been tested against the batleship under wartime conditions. No one knows for a certainty how much damage a fleet of bombing planes could do to surface ships maneuvering freely and fighting back. No one knows how effective all the highly developed anti-aircraft guns and 1 armament of the surface ships would be.
 Aerial bombing tests against battleships have been conducted against defenseless old ship with out crews aboard. Tests of anti aircraft guns and other new equip- ment have been carried out against targets lowed by planes, and gen. erally at much lower attitudes than bombing planes on serious business would fly.
 So much for facts and figures. For the remainder of their calcu- lations and deductions, military experts resort to theories. They believe that Premeir Benito Mus solini, relying upon the effective ness of his air force against sur face ships, has been emboldened to take his present position, which is reckoned here as beieng very close to risking a decisive test of strength, air versus sea.
 Would Risk Everything
 They consider that Great Britain, realizing that loss of control over the short sea route through the Mediterranean and Suez canal to India and the Far East might be the beginning of the end for the empire, would likely risk such decisive test in an effort to main tain control of the life line".
 They consider that British lead CTS, too. are passing their feeling of security upon theory.
 Evidence of concern among Bri- tish leaders over possible outcome of a showdown for control of the Mediterranean, Is seen by of- ficials here in reports that Bri- tain recently has begun to re- habilitate the naval base on Mau- rituius Island, off the southeastern coast of Africa. This base never was large or formidable, and has been little used in the past 70 years. It is not near the main trade routes since steam power and the Sucz canal rendered the sea route around Africa long and unnecessary journey.
 Copyright 1895 by United Press) London, Sept. 20-(UP)-Greece and Spain. Italy's neighbors to east and west across the Adriatic and Mediterranean seas, joined to- day in action which indicated they would back Great Britain in event of a clash.
 Greece gave official permission for Britain to send 10 heavy royal air force bombing planes across Greece to Egypt. and to refuel at Greek bases at Paleron bay and at Myrambellos bay in Crete.