Evening star., 1938-01-30
BY HECTOR C. BYWATER,
Noted British Naval Authority.

LONDON, Jan. 29.-1t Is doubtful
whether any war game staged In
peacetime has attracted such world
wide interest as that which Is to be
held at Singapore early next month
as q prelude to the Official Inaugural
ton Of the new naval base on Feb
ruary IA.
The political situation in the Far
East provides dramatic background
With Japan waging q full-scale, II
undeclared, war on China, with jap
anese spokesmen of the highest rank
including an admiral, who Is a mem
Der Of the cabinet openly proclaim
ing that their ultimate objective is
the expulsion of the white races from
China and the whole of Eastern Asia,
and with the continuance Of the reign
Of terror which involves not only
wholesale massacre of Chinese civil
ians but deliberate violation and sab
otage Of British and American prop
erty by Japanese armed forces, Great
Britain is preparing q demonstra-
ton Of her combatant strength at the
gateway of the Pacific.
Even if it stood alone this fact
would be one of remarkable import.
But the arrival of a United States
cruiser squadron at Singapore imme-
diately afterward invests it with pro-
found significance
Preparations Comforting.
- ,,all ,,nlnrc<ooi hui 1eaot nr;t
ain that nothing short of q wanton
attack on interests that were not
merely common, but vital, would ever
bring Britain and the United States
into war as official allies. This not
withstanding each is comforted to
know that the other is preparing for
such an emergency. The development
of Singapore into a great naval
stronghold is probably welcomed as
warmly in Washington as the gradual
projection of American naval power
across the Pacific by way Of Hawaii,
the Aleutian Islands and other insu-
lar bases is applauded in London.
Before discussing the forthcoming
war game at Singapore, 1t is desirable
to stress one or two unique aspects Of
the new base itself. For well over two
centuries, Britain has been founding
strong points overseas whose main
purpose Is to sustain and extend the
mobility of her fleet. But only once
before has she begun with set purpose
to lay out . naval base which should
be. at the same time, an autonomous
fortress, capable Of defending itself
for an indefinite period without the
aid Of the local fleet. Gibraltar Was
developed along those lines. but never
to the same degree as Singapore.
The cost Of the dockyard and other
purely naval works at Singapore is as
sessed at about $55.000,000. But that
IS only part Of the total bill. At least
another $4,000. 900 has been expended
on the construction Of defenses which
are believed to be unparalleled in
strength. Whether the stories that
l5-inch and l8-inch guns are being
mounted In batteries at Changi and
on the islands flanking the approach
to Johore Strait are true or not, it is
well known that these points now
bristle with heavy. long-range artil-
lery, equal, If not superior. to the most
powerful ordnance carried by the
largest battleships.
Air Defenses Elaborate.
The defense against air lombard
ment is equally elaborate. "Sky guns"
OF every useful caliber. emplaced in
camouhaged positions, are mounted by
scores. II not by hundreds. In addi-
ton, there are at least two military