WILL BRITAIN FOLLOW?

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 74, 24 February 1938, Page 9

WILL BRITAIN FOLLOW?

45,000-TON JAPANESE WARSHIPS. LONDON, Feb. 5. “A conference of Cabinet Ministers will be told that Japan is about to build battleships exceeding the treaty limit of 35,000 tons.” This statement is made by the political correspondent of the Daily Express. “If Japan decides to build warships up to 45,000 tons, Britain and the United States reluctantly will take the same course,” this observer adds. “Every warship of 45,000 tons will cost Britain £12,000,000. Thus Japan’s decision may cost the taxpayer many millions of pounds. “Germany and Russia must be asked their views before Britain may build ships greater than 45,000 tons. The United States and France already have been consulted. Tallis with Russia and Germany are expected soon.” Britain, France and America are reported to have reached a. gentlemen’s agreement to pool all their information concerning Japan’s naval building programme. Naval chiefs are believed to be jointly considering a proposal that the three nations warn Japan that-unless she gives a definite assurance against building ships larger than 35,000 tons, the three Powers will be compelled to exceed that tonnage. Such action would prevent Janan declaring later that the Western Powers were responsible for starting a naval building race.