NAVAL HOLIDAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 December 1921, Page 5

NAVAL HOLIDAY.

THE PLANS DEVELOPING. FIXING THE RATIO. ACTION EXPECTED SOON. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyrigtt. Received Dec. 13, 8.5 p.m. Washington, Dee. 12. It was semi-officially announced today that the Japanese have received a reply from Tokio regarding the naval ratio and a meeting of ‘the “big three” has been called. It is indicated that the question of Pacific fortifications is involved in the settlement of the ratio question, though it is possibly not meant to include an actual treaty, as it affects only the United States and Japan. The probable course will be a separate convention, similar to the procedure in the case of Yap, agreeing to maintain a status quo.

With the ratio and fortifications out of the way the next question will be the naval holiday, in which it is suggested some modifications of Mr. C. E. Hughes’ plan will be made. First, to satisfy Japanese sentiment and allowing her to keep the battleship Mutsu; second, to meet the conditions as pointed out by the British, which will obtain till the end of the ten year period should the holiday be complete. It will most probably be found that Japan will be allowed to keep the Mutsu and Britain to build two super-Hoods and America corresponding tonnage during the ten years, so that at the completion of the period all three nations will be on equality as regards tonnage and age of vessels, thus starting them off on a new building period on equal terms. After the naval holiday problem the submarine question will be taken up, about which there is likely to be much controversy. Britain is not likely to press her views for the total abolition of the submarine, as the interests of the commerce of the whole world will be satisfied by strongly emphasising the views. It is known that France, while willing to accept less than 200,000 tons capital ships, wants a full measure, ■equal to Japan, in submarine tonnage. Italy, like Japan, also favors a big submarine navy.