Evening star., 1938-02-13
France, Britain and
u. S. to Consult
on Next Step.
AMERICAN DESIGNS
ALREADY PREPARED
Movement for Confer
ence to End Naval Race
Is Gaining.

BACKGROUND
Indications that Japan wus
building secretly super-dread-
rauohts in ercess OF $4,000 tons,
coupled Nth war fears in other
parts OF yorld, led the President to
ask strengthening OF national de-
lenses BY appropriation for $780,
100000 Naval building program.
Navy spokeSmen haze supported
this recommendation, but pro-
ponents OF disarmament as peace
medium haze opposed it.
BY the Associated Press.
The United States, Great Britain
and France will consult shortly on
throwing their battleship limitations
overheard as the result of Japans
refusal to disclose her naval building
plans, State Department officials in
dicated last night
It was disclosed authoritatively that
this Government already has designs
for super r-dreadnaughts larger than
the 35,OO0-ton maximum to which
the three democratic powers agreed
in 1886.
But State Department officials said
that under the naval treaty Of 1886
Aligned by France. Britain and the
United States-the three nations
must consult before determining their
future naval policies.
One possibility would be use Of the
sescalation" clause in the treaty. or
that portion permitting the consultant
nations to extend their navies in num-
bers Of ships as well as In size and
armament If Japan did not abide by
the treaty restrictions.
Hull States Regrets.
No reply to the japanese refusal to
exchange information with the three
powers was indicated. However.
Secretary Hull expressed regret at the
Japanese attitude and indicated ef.
sorts toward international naval
limitation would not be abandoned.
"This Government seeks con-
stantly," he said, Ito cooperate tn
advancing the policy Of limitation
and reduction OF ornaments, ana
regrets any development which has
the effect of encouraging rather than
discouraging races In armament ana
building"
State Department officials felt.
nevertheless, that the japanese re-
Susal has closed the door to immediate
agreement among all the big navy
nations on naval limitations.
It was explained that in accepting
the London naval treaty Of 1880,
which fixed a quantitative naval ratlo
of $3.50 for Britain. the United states
and Japan respectively, the latter
country had accepted limitations suit
able fer her needs. The Japanese olo
not adhere to the 1886 treaty.
Bid for Parity Seen.
The japanese offer yesterday TO ois-
cuss limitation Of the size OF whole
fleets. rather than individual ships,
was regarded in Official circles mere
Simply as a bid for parity with tne
United States and Britain.
Chairman Pittman, Democrat, OF
Nevada, of the Senate Foreign Rela-
tions Committee, expressed the opinion
that Japan's statement Of willingness
20 confer on naval limitation doesn't
mean much" unless coupled with a
desire to be bound by the London
agreement"
"Our country is very much In favor
Of conferences" Pittman added, "and
no doubt we would delay for a rea-
sonable length of time to see what
Japan is willing to do before going
outside the London limitations"
King Wants Conference.
But Senator King, Democrat, OF
Utah proposed that Congress authorize
President Roosevelt to call disarma-
ment conference Immediately. He
said the threatened naval race would
impose tremendous burdens on the
taxpayers of many nations.
Senator Capper, Republican, of
Kansas proposed tying up Japan" on
the expression of willingness to confer
(See DEFENSE, Page A-5.)