The French minister of navy Leygues (1) said during the launching of the new cruiser Emile Bertin (2) that a free sea was a necessity for every country developing economic welfare and securing her safety. A country with an extended colonial empire and largely depending on trade with other countries needed to protect her maritime area as powerful as her own territory. During times of peace was the main task of a navy to play a roll of rapprochement and reconciliation. He announced that within short time two new cruisers were to be lay down to maintain the authority and glamour of France
Notes
1. Georges Leygues (Villeneuve-sur-Lot 26 October 1857-2 September 1933) tried unsuccessful while cooperating with his navy chief of staff Henri Salaun to give the re-armament of the navy priority in stead of the army and her projects like the Maginot Line. Between 24 September 1920 and 16 January 1921 was Leygues prime minister and several times minister of navy namely in the periods 16 November 1917-20 January 1920, 28 November 1925-19 July 1926, 23 July 1926-21 February 1930 and 3 June 1932-2 September 1933.
2. The light cruiser Émile Bertin was laid down at the yard of Chantiers de Penhoët on 18 August 1931, launched on 9 May 1933, commissioned on 28 January 1935, decommissioned in October 1951, not earlier stricken as on 27 October 1959 and broken up two years later. With a displacement of 5,886 (standard)-6,530 (maximum load)-8,480 (maximum overload) tonnes were her dimensions 117 (over all0 x 15,84 x 5,44 metres. The main armament consisted of 3x3-6”guns, she carried indeed mines with a number of 200 with her.
