Official circles intimated—that Japan's attitude toward naval limitations could only result in the beginning of construction of larger Ameri can warships, probably in the 43,000- ton class or larger.
High officials told the United Press that the United States, Britain and France would consult immediately on whether Japan's'refusal to reveal her naval building plans was sufficient cause to invoke the escalator clause of the London Naval-Treaty. They said the United States, for its part, alredüy was convinced of the necessity of invoking the escalator clause and probably would do so regardless of the action taken by Britain or France, although both Britain' and France are expected to take similar action.
Britain, it was understood, would' be forced to confer with Germany and the Soviet Union before launching a large scale building programme beyond the limitations of the London. "Treaty, but no complications wêre expected' on this account. The con-$ultations are expected to occur in normal diplomatic channels without the summoning of a formal conference.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.