WORLD’S BIGGEST WARSHIP FOR JAPAN

Northern Advocate, 6 February 1936, Page 5

WORLD’S BIGGEST WARSHIP FOR JAPAN

Plans Surprise The Naval

Conference

[United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright .]

(Received noon.)

LONDON, February 5.

“SUN-HERALD” NEWS SERV-

ICE SAYS THAT WHILE THE LONDON NAVAL CONFERENCE IS PROGRESSING TOWARD A FOURPOWER AGREEMENT, WITH “ESCAPE” CLAUSES, IN'THE EVENT OF JAPAN’S NON-PARTICIPATION, A REPORT IN PUBLISHED IN LONDON TO THE EFFECT THAT THE JAPANESE ARE PREPARING PLANS FOR A SURPRISE NAVY CONSTRUCTION, WHICH WILL COMMENCE AT THE TERMINATION OF THE WASHINGTON TREATY.

British official quarters informed the “Sun-Herald” that they still think that, when a Four-Power agreement is concluded, Japan will, at least, adhere to part of it. The belief persists

that finances will prevent Japan from undertaking a gigantic building programme. However, the “Daily Express” declares that Japan, at the end of the year, will secretly lay down the keel of the world’s biggest battleship—of 45,000 tons.

Her programme also includes, says the Express, fast “pocket battle cruisers” of 15,000 tons, powerful flotilla leaders of 24,000 tons, destroyers and •submarine cruisers of 3000 tons.

The “Express” says this information was received by a European country from its Tokio naval attache, who adds that Japan is determined to preserve her complete freedom in naval construction, and will build ships, upsetting the programme of the other Powers at the conference.