NAVAL ARMAMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 304, 21 November 1935, Page 16

NAVAL ARMAMENTS

PROBABLE DEMANDS. AT FIVE-POWER CONFERENCE. If the British proposals for qualitative limitation are accepted at the naval conference on December 5, the result will be a saving of £1,750,000 on each new battleship, and £500,000 on cruisers, says a London message. As the result of bilateral conversations and informal exchanges of views, Britain already knows the outline of the proposals which will be made by each foreign delegation to the conference. The naval correspondent of the Daily Telegraph (Mr H. C. Bywater) discusses the possible recommendations of the five Powers. He says Britain’s programme is likely to include: (I.) Proportional limitation of total ship tonnage', either by ship categories or on the global principle. In the latter case, safeguards against excessive building in one category or another will be suggested. (II.) Qualitative limitation by reducing still h%. ther tonnage and gun calibre of future ships of all types. A maximum of 25,000 tons for capital ships and 7000 tons for cruisers may be proposed. (III.) The announcement by each Power of its naval building programme for a period of at least five years. (IV.) Total abolition of submarines or, failing that, restriction of tonnage to a limit which would confine submarines to coastal service. Air Bywater says the Unitde States will suggest the retention of the existing ratio system, ensuring the United States nearly a two-fifths margin of strength over Japan. He says it is semi-officially stated that no reduction of the Washington standards of 35,000 tons for capital ships and 10,000 tons for cruisers can be accepted by the United States, which supports Britain’s submarine abolition plan but does not favour pocket or coastal submarines. Japan, Mr Bywater says, favours scrapping the ratio system, and complete equality of naval strength with Britain and the United States on the basis of global tonnage. It does not follow, however, that this is Japan s last word. She will insist on retaining a largo quota of submarines, because they are defensive weapons, and will advocate the abolition of large battleships and aircraft carriers. It is expected Japan will raise the question of fortified bases in the Pacific. France will suggest limitation by global formula and will support the British case for smaller ships, Mr Bywater says, but will claim a comparatvely free hand in building light surface craft and.submarines. France will probably adhere to a demand for at least 90,000 tons of undersea craft. Italy will demand tonnage equality with France. Mr Bywater says that, although she is now building two of the largest capital ships in the world, it is understood she is prepared to accept lower limits for future construction. Italy may raise the question of neutralising certain strategic areas in the Mediterranean Sea.