BIGGER NAVIES THAN EVER

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 160, 1 April 1939, Page 10

BIGGER NAVIES THAN EVER

It has become plain during the past year that nearly all treaties for the limitation of world armaments have ceased to be of real value. Either they have gone completely by the board, or they remain effective simply because, for the time being, they do not interfere Avith the plans of some of the nations who signed them. Baith in international co-operation is at a discount except among certain Powers with aggressive parallel policies, and others who are united by a common danger and by ties that are firmer and warmer than documented words. Naval treaties have gone, or are going, the way of the rest. Japan denounced the Washington Treaty in 1934, and since terminating her association with it has been increasing her naval strength steadily and secretly. Now it is suggested that the Anglo-German Naval Agreement of 1935, described not so long ago by a German newspaper as “the only pact in the world limiting armaments,” is in danger of being renounced by Herr Hitler. The fruits of Japan’s decision to go her own way in naval construction are ripening today. In spite of the difficulty of obtaining details of her programme, it is believed that she is building three battleships each of 40,000 tons, and armed with 16-inch guns, together with a large number of smaller vessels. The United States, Japan s “opposite number” in the balancing of world naval power, is making the inevitable reply. President Roosevelt has approved plans for the construction of two 45-000-ton capital ships estimated to cost something well in excess of 85,000,000 dollars each. Here is exemplified the costly futility of resuming a naval “race” —for, after the ships have been completed and the money spent, the ratio of power will remain approximately the same, though stepped up to a higher and more militant level.

If, as is feared, the Anglo-German agreement is threatened, the 'consequences will be far-reaching, and still more unsatisfactory, in that all European naval programmes are likely to be involved. Early this year Germany notified her intention of increasing certain tonnages to the full totals permitted by the agreement, which entitles her , to a total, tonnage of 35 per cent, of the aggregate tonnage of the naval forces of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Should she go beyond this limit—should she, in other words, renounce the agreement signed in 1935 —Great Britain will be obliged to adjust her policy so as to meet untrammelled competition. And, without doubt, both France and Italy would deem it necessary to review their respec- | tive tonnages. So far as Britain is concerned, the margin of power I must be preserved. In spite of the development of military aviation, ' naval supremacy remains the principal pillar of her security. So meagre is the available information concerning recent addil dons to the fleets of the leading Bowers that detailed comparisons i cannot accurately be made. An idea of the extent of naval building is provided, however, by comparing total tonnages as published by the I French Ministry of Marine in 1935 with the figures issued in Noveini her last year by the United States Office of Naval Operations. The

An increase of more than 1,500.000 tons of war vessels in three years, exclusive of the building undertaken by the smaller nations, is formidable and significant. What is more, the race is speeding up. Where and when it will end cannot be foreseen, but it must be recognized that the farther it goes the greater is the energy expended and anta- ‘ gonism risked. Great Britain, having handicapped herself by her 1 example in disarmament, is hard put to it in keeping the lead that is vital tn her. As time goes on. the difficulty may grow greater, and it will be for the Dominions to take their share of the running. Lili sanity returns to the world, this is a responsibility we cannot afford 1 to avoid.

'■oniparison is as follows: — Total '1'099 ages. 1.935. 1938. British Empire . . .. 1,362,524 1,933,648 I'nited States . . .. 1.371,51(1 1,618,085 Japan .. . 1 830,709 89,8.691 Era nee .. .. 709,076 793,959 Italy .. .. 518,488 685,832 (leriminv .. .. 254,949 486,183 Russia .. 189,514 372,343 5,236,770 6,788,741