THE CAPITAL SHIP

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 36, 11 August 1934, Page 10

THE CAPITAL SHIP

POWERS AT LOGGERHEADS

A DANGER TO PEACE

A "quiet exploration" of certain, aspects of the great Naval Conference, which is to be held next year, will be made during the' next few weeks. There are to be important preliminary "conversations" on the subject of the London Treaty by accredited representatives of Britain, the United States, Japan, and, probably, Italy and France, the chief purpose being to payo the way to ultimate agreement, says a London correspondent of the "Sydney Morning Herald." For it will bo the duty of the conference proper to decide (a) whether the London Treaty shall be determined; (b) whether it shall be continued in its present form (which is most unlikely); and (c) what changes, if any, consistent with economy, security, and international harmony, shall be made.

The situation is not precisely reassuring. On the one hand, Britain finds that the treaty has placed her at a disadvantage in that it has compelled her to make "unrequited sacrifices." Her Navy is relatively weaker than it has been for generations. She has restricted building and scrapped useful tonnage, only to discover that America, Japan, and Franco have added considerably to their sea-power. Her fleets are perilously short of destroyers and cruisors, and she is supremo only in capital ships, which aro unsuitable for "keeping open the trade routes." so vital to the Empire.

On the other hand, both tho United States and Japan are on the verge of a "building war." Each contemplates a huge programme of new construction. Each fosters a spirit of dangerous rivalry in the Pacific. Japan's demand for a revision' of the existing 5-5-3 ratio is tho direct outcome of tins rivalry, and can easily lead to the wrecking of the Treaty. THEIR PROGRAMME. Quito recently the "Nichinichi" published what it claimed to bo an outlino of the Japanese Naval General Staff's "programme" for the conference. The principal items are:—■ 1. Keductions in aggregate tonnage and in the sizes of craft. 2. Abolition of tho principle of the naval rafio and hence the adoption of that of limitation by aggregate tonnage. 3. Guarantees of the right of each nation to determine its own defensive needs. 4. The adoption of the principle of equality in armaments. In the same report difficulties' are raised concerning tho venuo of the 1935 conference. Should this not be held in Tokio, or such neutral cities as The Hague or Brussels, Japan will probably press that the meeting should take place in Paris/ It is evidently felt that a conference in either Washington or London would encourage an Anglo-American alignment—a contingency which the Japanese evidently fear beyond all reason. Despite certain "conversations" at No. 10 Downing Street, there is no whisper of any possible coalition or "■ understanding" at Japan's expense, although the problem of adequately safeguarding British interests in the Pacific zone is causing the Government at Westminster uneasy thought. True, there is a disposition on the part of America to apply "quiet pressure" in favour of some sort of agreement between Washington and London, but no definite approach has yet been made. It would be safe to predict that oven a tacit coalition of this kind would immensely prejudice the success of tho Naval Conference, which may' even not. be held at all unless Japan adopts a less Imperialistic tone. Another obstacle in its path is the unresolved problem of FrancoItalian parity. Both.'-^is a political factor and a technical unit, the capital ship has given rise to uncomfortable forebodings. The tremendous cost of the modern battleship, combined with internecine wrangling over the respective claims of the "big ship" and "small ship" schools, on tho one haud, and exponents of "overwhelming air power" on tho other, has thickened tho naval atmosphere with controversy. Oue thing, at least, can bo taken for granted; tho question1 of capital ship design will certainly claim the serious attention of the forthcoming conference (if any)l, despite the circumstance that n,ono of tho Powers affected by the L<sndon Naval Treaty can lay down a keel until after the end of 1936. THE SMALL SHIP. There are several high authorities at the Admiralty who have been advocating the "small" battleship since 1927. Tho term "small" is used, only in a relative sense, of course, for they visualise a vessel of some 25,000 tons, armed with 13.5 or 12-inch guns. The Nelson, Rodney, Hood, 'Repulse, and Renown aro larger and more powerful than the type contemplated, but they are also a much more expensive class. It is t'qlt by proimnent designers that a ship of 25,000 tons, with lighter and, consequently, less costly armament, would be quite equal to fulfilling all tho requirements of a primary battle cruiser. ■! This opinion yj not, of course, official; nor is it shared by the influential "school" whose view is "the bigger the ship, the better." And it Nis definitely not shared by naval authorities in America, who have made it clear that there should be no attempt to restrict tonnage below the 35,000-ton standard. Indeed, for technical reasons, they would prefer to build up to 40,000 tons. Unfortunately for the world's taxpayers, a jsomejvhat similar notion is entertained, by Japanese experts. Hence the delicate situation with which the Naval Conference is likely to be confronted. Britain could well afford to allow the United States to go her own way, for war with America is about tho last calamity to be expected; but she cannot permit a general extension of that attitude. Accordingly, should America stand out

I for "big" ships and Japan follow suit, j England will bo compelled to choose between cheaper vessels of inferior fighting strength, or building costlymonsters against her better judgment. Already, as wo know, Italy has thrown dowu a challenge to the Powers by planning a battle-cruisor th.at will bo larger, faster, and more heavily gunned than either the Nelson or Rodney. This vessel will cost,no less than-£7,000,000, but, of Course," Italy is free to do as she pleases, untrammelled by treaties or agreements. - Although the prospect may improve as the intentions of tho signatories to the London Treaty become clearer, thero is at present the anomalous possibility that, instead of putting a stop, to international competition, the Naval Conference may accentuate The effect of the treaty, so far, at all events, has been to, "hamstring" Britain and allow her chief rivals to "catch up." We can no longer sing with confidence "Britannia rules tho waves," because we know we would bo singing a lie

The death has occurred of Mr. James Arthur Waddell, of Miraranr. Mr. "Warldell, who was connected with the plastering trade, came to Ne,w -.Zcalantl in 1900, and has been a resident of AVellington practically ever since. Ho is survived by a widow, three- sons, and three daughters.