NAVAL POLICY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 79, 15 January 1936, Page 5

NAVAL POLICY

NO RACE IN BUILDING.

JAPANESE VIEW EXPRESSED.

REQUIREMENTS OF DEFENCE. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Dav, 11.35 a.m.) LONDON, January 14. Japan's decision to leave the Naval Conference was conveyed to the British delegation because Britain summoned the conference. Britain passed it on to America. An informal meetting was held to consider the future of the conference when Japan's departure was officially notified.

A Japanese spokesman, says: The breakdown is not due to the adamant attitude of the Japanese, but is due to the adamant-opposition of the other delegates to her claim for a common upper limit."

Refusal of all the other Powers to concede equality for Japan is so clear that it may not be necessary to take a vote. The question now is how far the meetings can be usefully continued on a four-Power basis.

There was no astonishment at the Japanese decision, which brings a measure of relief to the delegations whose patience has long been tried by Admiral Nagano's persistence in a forlorn hope of the other Powers .agreeing to equality. A Japanese spokesman says: "Wo do not think the result of our withdrawal will mean a building race. We do not want, and do not mean, to build up level with Britain and the United States, though the United States, building to Treaty limits causes uneasiness in Japan. Unless naval competition is created by others we do not intend to start. Nevertheless, the Washington and London Treaties have proved unsatisfactory to our national defence. The ratio established at Washington was unfair to Japan. We see no reason why it should be perpetuated."

One effect of the breakdown will be to draw the British and American delegates' relations closer.