SECOND EDITION NAVY OF JAPAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22954, 4 February 1938, Page 9

SECOND EDITION NAVY OF JAPAN

POSSIBLE INCREASE EXAMPLE OF OTHERS QUESTION OF SECURITY HAND MAY BE FORCED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ) (Received February 4, 1 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 3 A message from Tokio says the spokesman for the Japanese Navy, Admiral Noda, stated to-day: "If in future we feel that our national defence is endangered—for instance if very strong military establishments arise near our country or near the Far Eai?t, or there is a big increase in armaments which we regard as menacing our national security—then Japan will be obliged to increase her armaments to cope with that new situation. "Britain and America have very large Navies. No countries are menacing them, nevertheless, they have begun big building programmes which incentive to other nations to follow in a building race." Admiral Noda reiterated that the rumour that Japan is building 42,000ton battleships was groundless. "It seems," said the spokesman, "that some nations are using the special situation in the Far East as a pretext for their building programmes. As I have often emphasised, Japan respects, and will continue to respect, the rights and interests of other countries in* China. "I cannot comprehend why other countries scatter their vessels or need to double the standard of their Navies, particularly since, according to various authorities, the American Navy is ample for defence, so America cannot jf feel a menace from other countries. «- "Our naval policy is non-menace, non-aggression. If others trust us, which we hope they do, then there is no reason why others should increase their navies." The Australian Associated Press says it understands that Admiral Noda's - reference to strong military establishments might be to Hongkong, Manila and Alaska, as the Singapore base is A not new.