Japanese naval circles emphasize at it is Impossible. to give information on the naval building programme, which is, tantamount to qualitative limitation." They reali that opinion prevailed in certain naval circles that Jappropriate measures would be taken to dispel the misunderstanding and misgivings abroad regarding the alleged construction of 43,000-ton, [capital ships.
This opinion. they further om= phasize, might have taken" definite form if only the British. American and French Governments had appealed to Japan's goodwill in secking Information on her naval buildin programme, "rather than to discuss joint request to Japan at the initiative of a certain Powe Instead, they assert, the three: Powers requested of Japan: Information on her naval building programme. which she is under no obligation fo give—and set a time-limit for her reply.
The impression given to the Japanese nation was that the three Powers not only demanded qualitative limitation of the Japanese Navy, but also attempted to fx the blame on Japan for naval expansion, Japanese Nation-Aftronted, The move on the part of Great Britain, the United States and France is, therefore, in the opinion of Jupan-fosse naval circles, a "serious blunder, affronting the Japanese nation."
Moreover, it Is pointed out that the action of the three Powers in Jdemanding information "immediately
Japanese Navy at expense of stiffened the attitude, of the the moderate view prevailing pr viously:
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.