NAVAL RACE?

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 6, 8 January 1934, Page 7

NAVAL RACE?

PACIFIC SUPREMACY.

Italy Says Japan Is Mainly -, Responsible.

BRITISH AND U.S. ACTIVITY.

(United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

LONDON, January 7. A message from Rome reports that a statement which accompanies the Italian naval estimates says a naval armaments race between Bi'itain, America and Japan has already begun. The main responsibility is attributed to Japan. The pending struggle between the United States and Japan, says the statement, will be aimed at supremacy in the Pacific. What is going to happen there deserves particular attention. Europe is' engaged in internecine strife and fails to see serious dangers elsewhere. The naval correspondent of the "Sunday Times" says the Italian allegation that Britain is engaged in a naval armaments race is incorrect, as her strength has steadily declined since tho London Conference. "The Times" recalls the fact that Italy was the first Power to resume large-scale naval construction after the London Conference. It states that within two months she produced a programme providing for 32 new warships, the majority being submarines. Moreover both Italy and Franco refused to be bound by a treaty limiting small craft and submarines.