"Our navy will still Keep afloat," was the reply given by the Secretary of Navy, Mr. Claude A. Swanson, when questioned by pressmen to-day Fegarding the naval construction programme of the United States in the face of Japan's forthcoming denunciation of the Washington naval treaty.
Me. Swanson pointed out that, in accordance with its terms, the treaty would be in effect for a period of (we years after the denunciation. "We shall do what is necessary and proper for the defence of Am and her commerce and industries," he said.
in reply to another question, Mr. Swanson declared that a decision in regard to the completion of the naval base fortification programme, suspended after tre Washington Naval Treaty -was" signed, was reserved Reuter. fo Ready for New Pact any hard and fast conclusion. sole purpose was to prepare the ground for future negotiation and agreement, "The French and Italian Governments, also signatories of the present} naval' treaties and associated with the discussions in the summer, have been kept informed of all developments, Although the three Governments represented in these conversations are in favour of continuation of naval limitation, with such reduction as can be agreed upon all the Powers concerned, the principle and methods for achieving this inthe future remain to be deter "Now that the respective views have been made known and fully discussed, the conversations have reached a stage when it is felt that there, should be an adjournment in order that the delegates may resume personal contact with their governmen's and the resulting situation can be fully analysed and further considered.
"It has, therefore, been agreed 19] adjourn the conversations at this Tokyo, Dec. 20.
Japan's attitude on the naval ques tion' was defined in forceful terms by the Foreign Minister, Mr. K. Hirota, in an interview with pressmen here to-day.
Commenting on Japan's decision to abrogate the Washington treaty, Mr.
rota declared that battleships and aircraft-carriers must be totally abolishes for the sake of world peace.
Japan, he continued, was a rising nation endowed with lofty pride anc, in advocating such an ideal policy, she was ready to make considerable sacrifices for its realization.
Mr. Hirota then announced that Japan was prepared to be a party to, a treaty safeguarding _peace. "However," he added, "if the Powers fall to recognize our fair and just attitude, if they insist on having their own way, Japan will refuse to make concessions and will resist No Denunelation by France Paris, Dec. 21.
An official denial that France intended to Join Japan in denouncing
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.