BRITISH OBJECTIVES

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 141, 11 December 1935, Page 11

BRITISH OBJECTIVES

TWO MAIN POINTS

Restriction of the five leading navies to agreed limits of tonnage in all ship categories, and a scaling down in the size and cost of all future fighting ships, are the two main objects which Great Britain will endeavour to achieve at the coming Naval Conference in London (writes Mr. Hector Bywater, naval correspondent of the London "Daily Telegraph," in a recent issue). ..

It is virtually certain that the existing treaty limits of 35,000 tons for battleships and 10,000 tons for cruisers will not be increased. If the British Government carries its point they will be substantially reduced.

From our point of view a cut in cruiser dimensions is most to be desired. As we may have to build a considerable number of these ships— which cost, on an average, £200 a ton—any reduction would materially ease the taxpayers' burden. A cut of even 2000 tons might, in the long run, save the country between £5,000,000 and £6,000,000.

The first task of the Conference is to devise some formula of quantitative limitation to take the place of the ratio system, which expires at the end of next year and which, owing mainly to Japanese opposition, cannot be renewed. Each of the five Powers will be invited to declare its minimum requirements in naval tonnage—divided up into battleship, cruiser, aircraftcarrier, destroyer,'and submarine categories—during a period covering five to six years.,

There will, of course, be no obligation to build, up to the limits fixed. In fact, it is hoped that actual building may fall short of the legalised figure.

JAPAN'S DEMAND REJECTED.

These requirements will form the basis for technical discussion which may result in a general scaling down of the original figures. There is understood to be no question of submitting cut-and-dried programmes. The British Government's programme for restoring our naval strength does not yet exist, even on paper.

Britain's aim will be to reduce future international naval building to the rock-bottom level consistent with individual security. The United States is certain to take the same line. The only difficulty will be to adjust the various demands in a graduated scale of tonnage values. ,This difficulty, however,, may prove formidable.

The United States has already semiofficially refused Japan's demand for tonnage equality. 'It is inconceivable that any British Board of Admiralty would recommend acceptance of the Japanese claim.