LONDON NAVAL TREATY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 22 May 1936, Page 5

LONDON NAVAL TREATY

BRITISH RETENTION OF OVERAGE DESTROYERS ATTITUDE OF JAPAN (United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, 21st May. The Toldo correspondent of “The Times” says that Foreign Office officials decline to anticipate the Japanese answer to the British memorandum of 20th May. They believe that the British action is due to the submarine building of European countries. According to the vernacular Press, Japanese authorities cannot easily accept, the British proposals, which will require cautious examination. It is suggested that ag compensation Japan may demand the retention of part of her excess submarine tonnage, now totalling 74,000 tons, instead of the 52,000 to which. Under the London Treaty, it should be reduced by the end of the year.

A cable published yesterday stated that the British Government had sent a memorandum to the United States and Japan asking to be allowed to retain 4u,C00 tons of over-age destroyers under the London Naval Treaty. The Government is also seeking a rearrangement of cruiser categories.