NAVAL FORCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 April 1938, Page 7

NAVAL FORCE

UNITED STATES DECISION INVOCATION OF ESCALATOR CLAUSE. NOTIFICATION TO BRITAIN AND FRANCE. By Telegraph —Press Association. WASHINGTON, April 1. The United States has formally notified Britain, France, and the Dominions of her intention to invoke the escalator clause of the London Naval Treaty. FRANCE HOLDS BACK. (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) PARIS, April 1. France will not invoke the escalator clause unless another European Power oversteps the 35,000-ton limit for capital ships. JAPAN GOING AHEAD AMERICAN ACTIONS REGRETTED. REASONS FOR NAVAL SECRECY. (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) TOKIO, April 1. According to the Domei Agency, Japanese naval circles regret the decision of the United States to invoke the escalator clause, but believe that Japan is now going ahead with “her long-cherished desire for capital ships with the heavier armaments necessary for overseas operations.” Japan will be compelled to change her naval plans to build bigger ships to meet the situation if treaty escalation is followed by actual building of over 35,000, the reason for Japan’s refusal to disclose her intentions is that secrecy of naval plans is indispensable in a country with an inferior naval strength.

EXCHANGE OF NOTES. ATTITUDE OF GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, April 1. The texts of Notes exchanged between Britain, America and France as a result of recent discussions between their naval experts are published. In view of the provisions of the Anglo-German and Anglo-Soviet Naval Agreements, Britain has addressed similar communications to Germany and Russia. The British Note states that Britain has found it necessary to exercise its right reserved in the escalator clause of the Naval Treaty signed in London in 1936 of effecting a departure from the limitations and restrictions of the treaty. The precise extent of the departure will depend on the result of the consultations provided for in its treaty. The reasons for the proposed departure consist in reports received by Britain to the effect that Japan, is constructing or has authorised the construction of capital ships of a tonnage not in conformity with the treaty. In view of the refusal of Japan, on being formally approached, to give assurances that these reports are ill-founded, Britain has no alternative but to regard them as being substantially correct.

The United States Note is in similar terms, except that its proposed departure extends also to the calibre of guns which may be mounted on capital ships.