U.S. REPLY TO JAPAN.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20648, 24 June 1935, Page 1

U.S. REPLY TO JAPAN.

£200,000,000 to be Expended on Armaments. LONDON, June 16. New naval and military expenditure totalling £200,000.000 —the greatest in any year since the war. Construction of 24 new warships additional to 66 authorised last year. Chain of air-bases round the Continent at secret locations: 555 new naval seaplanes and replacement of army types to achieve a combined army and naw air strength of 2320 machines. The above, cables the New York correspondent of the “ Manchester Guardian.” represents America’s answer to recent Japanese policy in Asia is regarded as menacing the preservation of the open door for American investments aqd trade, especially in China. The new war vessels to be 4aid down this years are: Two cruisers. One aircraft carrier. 15 destroyers. 6 submarines. Also unfortified landing grounds are to be built in the Aleutian Islands, on the direct air route to Japan; the air bases at Hawaii and Panama enlarged : the air fleet personnel increased. Before deciding upon the above programme. America, the correspondent understands, desired a conference with Japan at whic!% would be discussed both naval limitation and political matters. The Japanese refused, contending that naval limitation was a separate issue and. moreover, that Japan's policy was her own affair and not subject to international control. The correspondent recalls that both President Hoover and President Roosevelt offered to join in limitation treaties and the Naval Affairs Committee, in drawing up the present expenditure, reiterated the hope that a conference would secure limitation. Consequently it is believed that the present tremendous programme is intended (1) to give America a strong bargaining position against Japan: (2) to show Japan the folly of an unrestricted building race, and (3) to suggest to Japan that her best plan would be to accept the American view regarding naval limitation and her general policy. Nevertheless, a section of the public opposes an American big navy, especiallv pacifist groups. women’s clubs .and religious organisations, which are urging that the United States should not attempt to dictate to Japan while her own interests are insufficient to justify the risk of armed conflict with her best customer in the Far East.