An item dated New York 20 December reported that the chairman of the Japanese delegation for the naval conference (1) which was now passing the USA again the major Japanese issues explained. First issue was the 70% percentage of the largest navy of the other navies, secondly a temporarily stop until 1936 of the building of battleships and third issue an unlimited number of submarines. Wakatsuki (2) stated that the total tonnage of Japanese submarines had none relation with the programs of France, Italy or other countries. If the second issue was discussed was Japan not unwilling to discuss at the same time the agreement dealing with the aircraft carriers. Newspaper reported that a delaying the building of large battleships would spare Japan 65.000.000 pound sterling. If this issue was already discussed with the American secretary of foreign affairs refused Wakatsuki to answer but officially was announced that Japan informed the USA what her point of view was. During the conference at London was this point of view to be put forward when the replacement of battleship was discussed.
Notes
1. On 22 April 1930 signed England, Japan, France, Italy and the USA the so-called London Naval Treaty which became effective on 27 October of the same year. The treaty was a result of the naval conference at London between 21 January and 22 April that year which discussed the effects of the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922.
2.Baron Wakatsuki Reijiro (21 March 1866-20 November 1949) politician, son of the samurai Okamura but when Wakatsuki married he accepted the family name of his spouse. Was prime minister between 28 January 1926 and 20 April 1927 and between 14 April 1931 and 13 December 1931.
