An item reported that MacDonald (1) during a debate in the House of Commons stated that at the naval conference (2) several proposals were discussed dealing with decreasing the total tonnage of battleships or to design a new type of battleship. There was no agreement between the naval powers concerning this topic. MacDonald defended the proposal to stop building battleships until 1936 and than reconsider the strategic value of a battleship. How large it should be or what the actual strategically value of such a large warship was or even decided that a battleship was obsolete; the latter option was believed by himself. His pacific friends had no reason to fear the construction of larger cruisers. A major part of the British so-called 6” cruisers was during the war especially built for fighting purposes in the North Sea and the British Coastal waters. The British Admiralty stated to need cruisers suitable for destinations farther away than the ‘war’ cruisers could. It was able to cut the budget for cruisers, destroyers and submarines with 15 million pound sterling.
Notes
1. James Ramsay MacDonald (12 October 1866 Lossiemouth, Scotland-Atlantic Ocean 9 November 1937) prime minister 5 June 1929-7 June 1935.
2. London Naval Treaty signed on 22 April 1930 by the United Kingdom. Japan, France, Italy and the USA. Ratified on 27 October 1930.
Notes
1. James Ramsay MacDonald (12 October 1866 Lossiemouth, Scotland-Atlantic Ocean 9 November 1937) prime minister 5 June 1929-7 June 1935.
2. London Naval Treaty signed on 22 April 1930 by the United Kingdom. Japan, France, Italy and the USA. Ratified on 27 October 1930.
