Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, SATURDAY, DEC. 22, 1934. NAVAL ARMAMENTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18587, 22 December 1934, Page 4

Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, SATURDAY, DEC. 22, 1934. NAVAL ARMAMENTS

Whether by accident or design, the announcement in.Tokio that the .Tap anoso Privy Oouneil had approved the renunciation of the Washing! or Treaty, coincided with the issue in London of an official communique inti mating that it had been agreed to ad journ the conversations as a result of which it had . been hoped to reach some agreement preliminary to the naval conference next year. It was hinted some time ago that the Lon don negotiations had collapsed, and the reported action of Japan would appear to support this view, notwithstanding the labored effort of the communique to be optimistic, and the emphasis that is laid on the fact that the discussions are to be resumed at some future- date. It is to be hoped that some formula satisfactory to all parties will ultimately be 1 found, but the history of the past few years is not encouraging. At the Washington Conference of 1921-22 the five leading naval Powers were in complete accord, and a treaty was completed which was to remain in force until 193,5 at the earliest Or until it Was renounced by one of the contracting parties. In 1930 an attempt was made in London to bring about a fnrthcf measure of disarmament, but on this occasion the treaty was ratified by only three nations, France and Italy being unable, on account of their mutual antagonisms, to subscribe to the view's of the other lliroe. The next adverse development was the decision of Japan to withdraw from (lie League of Nations, and, virtually, from the Disarmament Conference also. The United States, of course, was never in the League, but she has always been sympathetic to its object, whereas Japan's present position is the result of a very decided disagreement with the international body. Moreover, in- recent months she has undo no secret of her naval ambitions. There have been repeated reports of her intentions to renounco the Washing! on Treaty and to demand the acceptance by the other Powers of her claim to equality of naval strength. This claim was advanced during the recent; London discussions, and, inevitably, was rejected by the other two consulting countries. Great Britain and the United States. Of the three Powers who, hitherto, have been the chief proponents of the cause of naval limitations, it is now found that Japan is definitely committed to a programme of expansion, the United States, concerned at the changed attitude of Japan, has lost much of her enthusiasm, and Britain, realising that her cxamplo in the direction of unilateral disarmament is not likely to bo followed, is forced to consider whether, in the interests of her own security and that of the Empire, it is not time that she commenced to make up some of tho ground she has lost. There is Unis the possibility of the big three in the campaign for disarmament becoming the chief competitors 'in a new naval race, the end of which cannot be foreseen. True, this week's communique stated that the three Governments were in favor of a continuation of naval limitation, but this assertion was completely negatived by tho addition of tho proviso that any reductions must be agreed upon by all the countries concerned. Since Japan demands equality with Britain and America, and since neither of tho latter countries could accept such a proposition without practically committing suicide, the declaration in favor of disarmament is meaningless. The most that Japan has agreed to is the disarmament of the other Powers to her level, and the reasons why this could not.'possibly he accepted are obvious. Britain’s elnir to a strong navy, in view of the wide and scattered Empire, cannot be- disputed, while the United States, by reason of her two great seaboards, is certainly entitled to greater consideration than Japan. On tho other hand, Japan requires no large navy for defence purposes, because her territory is compact and almost impregnable,

even supposing that any nation had belligerent, intentions against her. There is evidence, however, that she lias definitely embarked upon a policy of expansion, trade and territorial, and convincing proof that she is prepared to pursue that policy regardless of world opinion. Her naval policy apparently dominates -the country, and it is a disquieting commentary upon her attitude that the renunciation of the Washington Treaty—perhaps the greatest blow to disarmament since the effort was commenced —-was the cause of great rejoicing among high naval authorities who joyfully conveyed the news to tho commanders of various stations. In this jingoistic atmosphere, with the country struggling, and prepared to fight, for a foot-hold in the world, there is certainly occasion for perturbation at the trend of recent events, and (ho out come of the resumed conversations when they take place will be awaited with interest, and not aJittlc anxiety.