NAVAL STRENGTHS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 67, 12 December 1932, Page 9

NAVAL STRENGTHS

Japanese Submit a Plan AMERICANS SCOFF Fantastic and Impossible EXPERTS ARE AMAZED (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received Dec. 11, 6.30 p.m.) New York, Dec. 10. The “New York Times” Washington correspondent says that Japanese Naval proposals announced by Tokio and Geneva to-day are considered so fantastic and impossible of acceptance, even as a basis of discussion, that the State Department has not even submitted them to the Naval Department for study.

"The State Department’s experts, who are amazed at the Japanese plan, said that it would mean substantial equality between the Japanese and American fleets by increasing the ratio, of capital ships.” the correspondent' says. "The State Department not only sees no prospect of action on the plan, but the view was expressed to-day that it was not even intended to be taken seriously. “It is suggested that possibly it is designed to inject a new element of uncertainty into the international situation until such time as Japan gets a firmer foothold in Manchuria. It would increase the strength of Japan’s defensive position in the Orient.” BASIS OF PROPOSALS Increased Defence Power (Received Dec. 11, 6.30 p.m.) Toldo, Dec. 10. Japan’s naval proposals are based on a reduction of the power of attack and an increase of the power of defence. They would limit capital ships to 25,000 tons and 14-inch guns, first-class cruisers to 8000 tons and 8-inch guns, second-class cruisers to 6000 tons and 6.1-inch guns. Britain and America would have eleven capital ships and Japan eight. Of first-class cruisers Britain and America would have twelve and Japan ten. The maximum total tonnage of second-class cruisers would be 150,000 tons; of destroyers. 150,000 tons; and of submarines, 75,000 tons. The plan seeks to abolish aircraft carriers and prohibit landing platforms on warships.