COSTLY DISAGREEMENT

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20125, 22 February 1937, Page 6

COSTLY DISAGREEMENT

When Japan refused to accept the ratios of naval strength, originally accepted at the Washington Conference, discussions of further limitation of naval forces lost much of their value. All restrictions, as far as they applied to the Pacific, now are, or will be, removed, with each country concerned free to make whatever provision it deems necessary for the protection of its territory and interests in that vast area. The results are becoming apparent. Under the Washington Treaty Britain was pledged not to build fortifications north of Singapore. The American Government also undertook not to fortify possessions in Eastern waters and Japan was under definite restrictions. To-day, the British authorities are reported to have adopted a programme for bringing the defences of Hong Kong up to modern requirements,* more particularly in the provision of defence against attack by air, and Japan can make no protest or lodge any appeal. Experts have stated that Hong Kong could not have been defended under the former conditions. Many well-informed writers of Eastern questions have endorsed that conclusion, but nothing could be done without creating a breach of the treaty. Now, apparently, there is nothing to prevent the fortifications of the island being modernised, and the Japanese can have no grounds for complaint for it was their policy that wrecked the Washington Treaty. Beyond the brief statement that work was to be commenced at Hong Kong, probably by the provision of anti-aircraft defences at Point Stanley, nothing has been heard of the programme, hut whatever is done it may serve to bring home to the Japanese Government the value, both from the point of view of security and of finance, of an agreement with the original signatories to the treaties. Her position is such than an attempt to build ship for ship with, say, the United States would place an impossible strain on the finances of the country. Indeed, the costly activity in re-armament the world over may influence those controlling affairs to seek in a mutual agreement some better means for ensuring the security that each and every country mentions as its sole reason for increasing expenditure on armaments.