THE LONDON NAVAL TREATY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 21 May 1936, Page 6

THE LONDON NAVAL TREATY

THOUGH the terms of the London Naval Treaty, signed by Britain and the United States, are not very well known in this country, it is evident that the two nations have agreed to certain limitations of naval armaments. A U.S. Senator, who spoke against the treaty, said that it would tie the hands of the two nations that desire peace—whereas other nations that might or might not desire war were free to build as they pleased —so that the two great Englishspeaking nations are placed at a disadvantage. Indeed, the Senator went so far as to say that “the Treaty « not founded on a proper recognition of the rights of this country (the United States) and Britain, - ’ and he added: “Unless we have Japan, Italy, and Germany parties to this Treaty, we are placing ourselves and Britain at a disadvantage.” That is so in a certain sense, for whereas the Treaty ties the hands of the last two countries named, the other three —Japan, Italy, and Germany, with whom must bo included France—can build as they please; Italy and France being under the restrictions of the Washington Naval Treaty, till the end of the present year. As is known, Japan has denounced that Treaty, and thereby freed the co-signa-tories from the obligations imposed by it, but it seems that the United States and Britain have decided to continue to honour their signatures! The) criticism of the London Treaty, voiced by Senator King of the United States, is undoubtedly just—it would paralyse Britain, for instance, if she were suddenly confronted by Japan, Italy, and Germany, combined. But if Britain and the United States were to stand together, neither of them would have anything serious to fear from Japan, Italy, and Germany, in combination or otherwise. It is against the political principles of the United States to enter into protective treaties with other nations, but there seems to be reason to think that the great republic and Britain have come to an understanding as to how each of them will act in case certain nations were to make war conjointly or severally against Britain or the United States. The interests of Britain and the United States in the Pacific Ocean are harmonious. That means that their naval requirements there are similar; and that fact explains their signing the London Naval Treaty.