Washington, Aug. 11. REAR Britain and the United States, rather than Japan, are the ones that should seek an increase of naval ratios, in the opinion of United States Government officials who have privately studied the formulae since the British talks in London preliminary to the 1935 Naval Limitations Conference.
These American officials pointed out to-day that there are four outstanding reasons why Britain and the United States should have even larger ratios, as compared with Japan, than they now possess.
The experts declared that the present ratios are probably roughly fair to all parties and should therefore be maintained. Further dis-"cussions on the aval rat issue are planned with Japan and Great Britain in October. nest i Gach as to make it-virtually Firstly, Japan's geographical remote-
Tinpregnabie from naval attack despite the present ratio.
Second, Japan is the only world power now possessing a first class az well as navy by which an realculably" successful naval. attack would be repulsed by superior land orees at the shore line.
Tuirdly, Japan's furthermost insular possessions or mandated "areas lie Within a radius" of 2500 miles. from Tapan whereas both the United States and Great Britain would be involved inthe defence of their overseas Dos Sessions as soon as war broke out.
Pnis fact, combined with, the padness of Japan's coat line, reduces Tier tactical problem and strength Fe-
Fourthly, Japan at. present enjoys an actually higher vatic than the 6-5-3 Fatlo because she has built neaely all Ships allowed by the existing treaties oer powers have Inggd far conclusion, the experts declared that the present ratios are probably roughly fair to all parties and should Apprehensions in London London, Aug. 11.
"Japan's naval estimates speak for themselves." Such was the general comment yesterday in offieiat circles; here on the credits asked by the Tapanese Navy, whose new budgetary tetimates confirmed the apprehensions Dreviously caused here by statements issued during the past few months by the spokesmen of the Tokyo Government.
"The fact is not overlooked here that] credits asked by the Japanese Navy fare often considerably curtailed by the Treasury. The general impression however, i that this will not be the case now.
The new Japanese naval estimate! amounts to about £50,000,000. a figure very close to that of the British naval Dudget, and is generally considered here as a somewhat disquieting pre-ludo to the Anglo-Japanese bilateral negotiations set for October—Havas.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.