Singapore Dropped?

The British Government cancelled the tour of inspection of the Earl of Cavan, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, to Singapore and Australasian posts. The reason given was that the Earl will be needed at home should a new Minister of War be appointed. Political opinion had it, however, that the project for the naval base at Singapore had been temporarily it not permanently shelved. Criticism was made against the projected naval base: 1) that the country could not afford the cost; 2) that it would divert a large number of warships from other important points; 3) that it would provoke Japan, whose relationship with Great Britain is now of the friendliest character; 4) that it gave impetus to the Dutch plans for a large East Indian Fleet.