Evening star., 1934-05-25
Naval Ratios and Forts.

Whatever its merits or demerits in
other respects. present-day Japanese
craftsmanship has an undeniable
capacity for keeping the world on
tenterhooks. Six weeks ago it was
Tokio's unabashed proclamation of
Japanese supremacy in Asia that
challenged attention and aroused
anxiety on both hemispheres. Now
it is the reaffirmation Of Japan's
demand for feet the size Of those
of Great Britain and the United
States that has stirred animated dis
cussion.
There is nothing new in Japan's
purpose to seek parity at sea and to
scrap the 5-5-3 ratio when naval
conditions come up for review in 1885
But international reaction to the cur
rent revival of Japanese plans clothes
them with an up-to-date aspect. The
British make no effort to conceal
their opposition to revision OF the
ratios, whereby Japan would increase
her fleet by forty per cent. Such an
increase would enable the Japanese
not only to dominate Eastern Asia,
but to extend their influence to India
and Australia. That is not a prospect
that can evoke any British enthu-
siasm, as long as militant imperialism
remains in the saddle at Toxic
Here in Washington Japans re-
proclaimed determination to become
the mistress of the Eastern seas pro-
vokes a prompt and natural roper
cussion. Secretary of the Navy
Swanson points out that the United
States would be bound to consider a
renewal of fortifications in the far
Pacific If the Japanese should insist
upon reopening the question of naval
ratios.
There is irrefutable logic in this
suggestion. At the Washington con-
ference this country agreed to abstain
from extension of its fortihcation
system in definite exchange for
Japan's acceptance of a forty per cent
inferiority to the respective British
and American navies. It is obvious
that if the Japanese insist upon re-
vising their end of that bargain. the
! United States is at liberty to recon-
slider the phase of it which is OF
importance to ourselves.
1t is just as we'll that the issue of
naval ratios. Notifications and all CO.
related questions should bob up this
far in advance of the 1885 conference,
which will have to tackle them afresh.
Since the treaty of 1922 the Far East
ern situation has undergone vital
change. The United States Is prepar-
ing to withdraw from the Philippines
Japan has conquered Manchuria and
set herself up as the arbiter Of all
Asia. The Soviet Union has become
a factor no longer to be left out of
account in any settlement of the prob
lens of the Pacific. Great Britain
and Japan are deadly commercial
rivals and now actually embroiled in
trade war. China has failed to pull
herself together.
Frank discussion of every facet OF
the situation from now until next
years conference will be useful and
wholesome. But the prospects for
agreement on a Pacific new deal will
not be improved by such explosive
suggestions as are now emanating
from naval spokesmen at Toxic to the
effect that Japan's safety" is men
aced by existing ratios and that she
is bent upon altering them as a life
and death question. If that is the
spirit in which the Japanese will
approach forthcoming decisions, the
outlook for agreement is far from
bright.
1t is satisfactory to know that the
British and American governments
have already embarked upon informal
exchanges of views in the hope of
o. Of 1n
1885 naval conference.