JAPAN'S SURPRISE NAVY.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 7 February 1936, Page 2

JAPAN'S SURPRISE NAVY.

WORLD'S BIGGEST SHIPS,

CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME

(By Telegraph-Press Assn.-Copyright) LONDON, I-eli. o.

The Sun-Herald nous agency says that while 'lie -Naval Conferc-ice is progressing towaids a Fuur-Power Agreement with escape clauses in the event of Japan's mm participation, a report has been published in London lhat the Japanese arc preparing plans for a surprise navy, the construction of which will commence with the termination of the Washington Treaty. British oilicial quarters informed the Sun-Herald agency that they still think that when the Four-Power Agreement is concluded Japan at least will adhere to part of it. The belief persists thai, ihiances prevent Japan undertaking a gigantic building programme. The Daily Express, however, declares that Japan at the end of this year is to secretly lay down the world's biggest battleships, of 15,000 ions, and that in addition the programme includes fast pocket bat tie-;: rubers of 15,000 tons, powerful flotilla leaders of 2400 tons, and destroyers and submarine cruisers of 3090 tons.

The Daily Express says that: this information has been received by a European country from its Tokio naval attache, and that Japan is determined to preserve complete freedom of naval construction and will build ships thai will upset the programmes of tlie conference Powers.