The Naval Treaty Denounced The actual denunciation of the Washington
Naval Treaty by Japan has been so long and so authoritatively predicted that it makes no material change in the general international situation. The declaration accom- panying the denunciation, to the effect that the step had been taken as a contribution to the cause of peace and disarmament, can only be described as disin- genuous to the point of hypocrisy, for the conference to be held under the terms of the treaty itself would give abundant scope for the conclusion of new agreements making for a lower level of armaments. That, of course, is possible outside the treaty too, but the fact that Japan has chosen to divest herself of the obligations of the League Covenant as well as of those of the Washington Treaty does not increase confidence in her general policy. When the treaty lapses the United States will be free to proceed with the fortification of her islands in the Pacific. She could, therefore, construct air-bases that would bring Japan well within range of her machines. That is one consideration that may weigh with Tokyo before the treaty expires at the end of 1936. Another is the issue of the estimates for the latest budget, showing the usual heavy deficit, with the service expenditure, naval, military and air, accounting for about 50 per cent. of the whole.
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