CONFERENCE ON NAVIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20490, 15 February 1930, Page 11

CONFERENCE ON NAVIES.

JAPANESE VIEWS.

REQUIREMENTS IN SHIPS.

SAFETY TO BE ENSURED.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, Feb. 13. The Japanese spokesman at the Naval Conference, in officially reaffirming Japan's attitude, insisted upon a 70 per cent, ratio in all craft except battleships and aircraft-carriers. Ho said that Japan was determined to contribute her full share toward securing an all-round reduction in naval armaments, but desired to maintain sufficient force to ensure her safety.

A 100 strict application either of the global or the categorical principles would not tend to bring about agreement among the Powers. Japan was in favour of a formula to harmonise both extremes and permit of transfers in certain categories. She was willing not to lay down any capital ships until 1936. Japan urged the conclusion of an agreement to reduce the size of battleships from 35,000 tons to 25,000 tons, with a maximum gun calibre of 14-inches; also to lengthen the age limit from 20 to 26 years. But she proposed to retain the present submarine strength. As regards aircraft-carriers, Japan proposed that all such vessels, no matter of what tonnage, should be subject to limitation. The limitation imposed by the Washington Treaty applied only to air-craft-carriers of over 10,000 tons. The age limit of these vessels, when over 10,000 tons, Japan proposed to increase from 20 to 26 years, that for all other types to be 20 years.

Japan attached great importance to 8-inch gun cruisers, and needed a number of vessels of that type for her own protection. But she was willing to reduce the number according to the cruisers possessed by the other nations. Flotilla leaders and destroyers should also be limited. The age limit for cruisers should be 20 years and that for destroyers 16 years.

In regard to submarines Japan said she would co-operate with the other Powers in strictly regulating their use against merchant vessels. She favoured a level of 78,000 tons, -limiting Che size of these craft and fixing their ago limit at 13 years.

The Daily Telegraph's diplomatic correspondent says he understands that with a view to persuading Japan to abate her 70 per cent, ratio demand the American delegation has been considering the naval neutralisation of the Philippines.

EMPIRE AND POWERS.

COMPARISON OF FLEETS.

REDUCTIONS BY BRITAIN.

British Wireless. RUGBY, Feb. 13. The First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. A. V. Alexander, has supplied information sought by members- of Parliament comparing the total tonnages of the completed warships of the British Empire, Japan and the United States, as at August, 1914, with those at the end of last year. The classes of vessels included in the figure? are: Battleships, cruisers, aircraft-carriers, destroyers, torpedo boats and submarines.

The figures for 1914 are reckoned on the Navy List displacements and the current figures, except for the battleship category, are estimated on "standard" displacements. These figures show that in August, 1914, the British Empire's total tonnage was 2,160,326. By the end of last year that? had been reduced to 1,201,930.

Japan's total in 1914 was 522,082. This was increased to 771,908. The United States' total in 1914 was 848,403, which had increased to 1,095,992. The British Empire's total personnel was reduced in the same period from 151,047 to 106,023. Japan's increased from 50,645 to .35,000, and America's from 67,258 to 114,500. In the House of Commons to-day the Prime Minister, Mr. Mac Donald, a statement about British naval reductions in reply to the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Baldwin. He said the Government's decision to take 50 cruisers as the minimum required for Britain's needs had been reached by taking into account tho measure of security accorded by the signature of the Pact of Paris by most of the nations of the world, including all the naval Powers. As the pact .was so powerfully supported, the Government felt justified in looking forward to a period in which armed conflict need not be expected. Tho proposed reduction in the number of cruisers to 50 was, of course, dependent upon an agreement being reached at the Naval Conference, and the limitation of projected building programmes by the other Powers. It would be for the period covered by such an agreement. The programme of replacement must to a certain extent also depend upon the nature of any agreements which might be reached at tho conference.

The Daily Telegraph's naval correspondent says ho understands that Mr. MacDonald has informed tho American delegates that tho British Government views unfavourably the suggestion that tho United States should build a superdreadnought.