Evening star., 1938-02-06
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN,


The State Departments note to
Japan. asking whether that country
was building or planning battleships
bigger than $4,000 tons. was given in
slant approval yesterday by Chairman
Plttman of the Senate Foreign Rela-
tons Committee.
Other Senators. While admitting the
United States has right to request
this information. deplored the fact
the sending of the note by this coun-
try was simultaneous With the trans
mission OF similar notes to Japan by
Great Britain and France. They
feared, they said, it would foster
growing belief in this country and
elsewhere that the United States was
acting in concert with other nations
in its foreign policy, ard mat the
policy was becoming aggressive.
Note Declared Necessary.
sAs far as the United States is con-
cerned," Senator Pittman said. Il am
OF the opinion that the dispatch of
this note is not only justifable, but
necessary.
Il am also Of the opinion that state
ments made from authoritative sources
IN Japan. in addition to other in
formation, conclusively demonstrate
that the Japanese government is build
Ing far beyond the limitations of the
Washington treaties end also the
London treaty which was entered into
between the United States, Great
Britain and France, but TO which
Japan refused to adhere.
TT is entirely proper. of course, that
our Government should give the jap
anese government an opportunity to
answer directly with regard to such
matters. 1t is in entire accord with
the London treaty that the parties to
that agreement, the United States,
Great Britain and France, also de-
mand the same information, as that
treaty carries the escape clauses"
The escape" clauses referred to by
Senator Pittman permit the sigma
tories to disregard the naval hmita-
tions set therein if they learn that
any other nation is exceeding the
building limitations, after consulta-
ton.
Threat Implied in Note.
Implied IN the note transmitted by
the State Department to Japan was a
formal threat that the United States
Will built battleships bigger than 35 900
tons and arm them with guns bigger
than the 16-inch guns specified in the
London treaty unless Japan says she
Is not exceeding this limit. /
At the same time Japan was in
formed the United States is ready to !
discuss limitation OF the size of battle
ships. The American note, which was
presented to the Japanese government !
yesterday by Ambassador Joseph c. |
Grew, gives Japan until February 20 |.
to make reply. If no reply is received, |
Japans silence will be construed as
an admission that Japan is building
or plans to build battleships in excess
OF $4,000 tons and to arm them with
guns larger than l6 inches and to
build cruisers larger than 5000 tons. !
The United States is prepared to 20
right ahead with bigger warships also.
The note explains that February 20
was fixed as the time limit for reply
from Japan because the United States
must have its fleet estimates in hand
IN time to communicate to Great
Britain and France-the other sigma
tories to the London treaty-before
May l. Further, if the United States
and Japan are to enter into consulta-
ton for the limitation of the size of
battleships, that consultation must be
completed also before May /.
Defense Bill Pending.
There is another good reason, how
ever, why the United States asks this
information from Japan at this time.
The national defense bill, sponsored
by President Roosevelt, is now in
process of being finally drafted for
submission to the House. If larger
ships and guns are to be constructed,
the House Naval Affairs Committee
will make provision in the bill.
The Governments armament pro-
gram indicates the United States is
going to take the offense and prob
ably join hands with England and
. (CAo N0rr n...