The Japanese naval policy according to the Dutch newspaper Het Vaderland morning edition dated 13 February 1935

The Japanese newspaper Kainitsji reported the feelings of the navy and the problems which were expected that year and in particular the discomfort concerning the increase of the Russian submarine fleet stationed at Vladivostok and the defence of the Japan Sea. Japan intended in March to leave the League of Nations but every one expected that the Japanese mandate government over the South Sea islands was going to be part of the international conference.(1) The navy made clear that in her opinion there was none legal or other reason for Japan to give up this mandate which was allowed to Japan before the League was founded. Japan stated that when these islands were controlled by another country than Japan the peace in the Pacific seriously was threatened. Admiral Yamamoto (1) was that day by his arrival in Tokyo festive received by minister of foreign affairs Hirota, minister of navy Osoenu, high officers and a huge public. Immediately after his arrival went Yamamoto to the palace of the emperor. For the next day was a meeting of the ministers planned. He stated that Japan would do any concessions but that the Naval Conference was a necessity even if the preliminary meetings were not positive. He and admiral Chatfield (3) made no compromise plan said Yamamoto in a press statement. The naval discussions at London resulted in continuing the discussions between England, United States and Japan to sign a new naval treaty.

Notes

1. As the result of the First World War and the Treaty of Versailles approved by the League on 10 January 1920 received Japan the German rights in Shandong/Kiatschou and the German islands in the Pacific north of the equator (Palau Islands) and the mandate over the Mariana Islands or Marianas (included the Northern Mariana Islands excluded Guam), the Caroline Islands or Islas Carolinas and the Marshall Islands. Japan occupied these islands all ready in 1914.

2. Isoroku Yamamoto (Nagasaki 4 April 1884-underway to the Solomon Islands 18 April 1943) studied in 1919-1921 at the American Harvard university and in 1926-1928 appointed at the Japanese embassy in the USA. He was an opponent of staring a war with the USA. Promoted to naval general on 15 November 1940. He was in fact responsible for the attack on Pearl Harbour on 7 December 1941.

3. Alfred Ernle Montacute Chatfield, 1st Baron Chatfield (27 September 1873 Southsea-15 November 1967), First Sea Lord in 1933-1938, in 1935 promoted to Admiral of the Fleet.