TEXT OF NOTES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 79, 2 March 1938, Page 9

TEXT OF NOTES.

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION. Acting on instructions from their respective Governments, British, American, and French Ambassadors delivered in Tokio on February 5 Notes regarding capital ships. The British Note, after outlining the provisions of the London Treaty of 1936, stated that the Japanese Government had unfortunately not seen its way to subscribe to that treaty, nor had it hitherto felt able to give any assurance that treaty limits would in practice be adhered to.

The Note then added :—■ "In view of the forthcoming publication of naval estimates and the necessity for giving other _ treaty Powers information as to intended British construction, the British Government would be glad to receive a reply not later than February 20. Should no reply be received by that date, or should the reply be lacking in the desired information and assurances, Britain will be compelled to assume that the Japanese Government either is constructing or acquiring, or has authorised the construction of or acquisition of, vessels not in conformity with the limits referred to. "The British Government, thereupon, will be obliged, in consultation with other naval treaty Powers, to resume full liberty of action." JAPAN'S REPLY. It was semi-officiahy announced on February 7 at Tokio'after a meeting between the Navy Minister (Admiral Yonai) and the Premier (Prince Konoyi) that Japan would definitely reject the British and American "unreasonable inquiry" regarding naval construction. *