DISAPPOINTED, BUT NOT SURPRISED

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 254, 24 July 1935, Page 9

DISAPPOINTED, BUT NOT SURPRISED

American View of British Naval Decision

LEADERS DISCUSS WAYS OF STAYING NEUTRAL By Telegraph.—-Press Assn. —c’opyrigtitl Received July 23, 5.5 p.m. > Washington. July 22. Sir Bolton Eyres-Monsell’s announcement in the House of Commons that Britain would abandon the ratio principle of naval limitation was received with disappointment but apparently little surprise by official circles here. Neither State nor Naval Department officials commented publicly, but apparently all hope is now abanuoned that tlie naval conference scheduled for this yciir will be belli. Ou the other hand, it is expected that Britain will abide bv the 5-5-3 ratio until December 31. 1937. the expiration date of treaties of 1922 and 1930, so tar as ratios are concerned. To-day President Roosevelt held a conference with several advisers regarding foreign affairs, during which the international situation, with particular attention to how to maintain American neutrality in any conflict. is reported to have been discussed.

Under the projected construction programme the American Navy is expected to reach treaty strength in 1942. and it is unofficially indicated that the Government lias no intention of going beyond that unless some other Power creates a definite issue by literally breaking down naval treaties. The renewed discussion on efforts to ensure neutrality in any future r coincided with an attitude _ of i i ft official silence toward Britain’s abandonment of naval ratios. It is authoritatively learned that the discpssion on the neutrality question touched upon the possibility of legislation designed to prevent the United States becoming embroiled in foreign conflicts. Four Bills affecting United States interests in wartime are pending. Senator Pittman, chairman of tlie Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, declared that the statement by Sir Bolton Ayes-Monsell constituted an abandonment of the Washington Treaty. "It is jnst another move construing treaties as only scraps of paper.” he said.

Senator Tranmell. chairman of rhe Senate Naval Committee, however, expressed the belief that the British Government did not intend to open a season of naval building until 1937. American officials have pointed out that the United States lias not insisted on continuing the precise 5-5-3 ratio, but has advocated limitation of navies to equality of security as opposed to the Japanese demand for equality of armaments.