NAVAL LIMITATION

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 259, 29 July 1937, Page 11

NAVAL LIMITATION

Government Reference to Japan’s Decision BRITISH INTENTIONS (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, July 27. During the second reading debate in the House of Lords on the London Naval Treaty Bill, Lord Stanhope, for the Government, referred to the decision of Japan not to be limited to 14in. guns. He said that the British Admiralty would wateli the situation very carefully. If it were found that. Japan or any other nation was building ships above 35,000 tons or with bigger guns than was proposed in the treaty notice could be given that in view of such action the escalator clause could be invoked. Whether that would mean a bigger or a faster ship or a heavier-gunned ship than the Japanese was a question experts would have to go into when thev had information. “There is not the smallest intention that we should send out men to sea in ships inferior to those they may meet of any other Power,” Lord Stanhope said. He added that he hoped Japan would realise it was to her advantage no less than to that, of other countries to agree to limitation.