NAVAL EXPANSION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 172, 4 May 1936, Page 6

NAVAL EXPANSION.

MONSTER BATTLESHIP FOR JAPAN. TO COST £11,000,000. (United Press Association— Copyright.) LONDON, May 2. The well-informed London diarist of the “Manchester Guardian” says: Naval circles are hotly discussing a report from Tokio, that Japan proposes to build a 53,000-ton battleship, with 21-inch guns. The diarist reveals that during the recent naval conference, it was disclosed that the Admiralties of the chief Powers had planned for ships up to 57,000 tons, so there is nothing technically impossible about Japan’s idea, which comes strangely, after the assurance from. Admiral Nagano, now Navy Minister, that Japan’s main object was to get the size of ships reduced even lower than Britain’s level. If Japan lays down such a monster, others will think they must follow suit. Each ship of this type would cost £11,000,000, five times the cost of H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth.

U.S.A.’s BIG VOTE

NAVAL APPROPRIATION BILL

WASHINGTON, May 2

The Naval Appropriation Bill, involving 531,000,000 dollars, was passed by the House of Representatives to-day by 212 votes to 73, only 24 hours after it was reported, without a single change.