NAVAL MONSTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 104, 4 May 1936, Page 7

NAVAL MONSTER.

Reported Japanese Building Proposal. VESSEL OF 55,000 TONS. LONDON, May 3. The "Manchester Guardian" wellinformed London diarist says naval circles are hotly discussing a report from Tokyo to the effect that Japan proposes to build a 55,000-ton battleship and to equip it with 21in guns. Ihe writer reveals that during the recent Naval Conference it was disclosed that the Admiralties of the chief Powers had plans for ships up to 57.000 tons.

There is nothing technically impossible in Japan's idea, which comes strangely, says the writer, after the assurance of Admiral Nagano, now Minister of the Navy, that Japan's main object is to have the size of ships reduced even lower than Britain's level. If Japan lays down such a monster other Powers will think they must follow suit. Each ship of the type would cost £11,000,000, or five times the cost of the Queen Elizabeth. PASSED IN 24 HOURS. HUGE AMERICAN NAVAL VOTE. (Received D.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, May 3. A bill providing, for an appropriation of 531,000,000 dollars for naval development was passed by the House of Representatives by 212 votes to 73. The bill, which was announced only 24 hours before, was passed without a single change.