Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 29:06-31:56

Japan's stronger hand in a Versailles naval settlement

A Tillman program could push Japan toward Number 13-class ships and produce a more favorable naval ratio at Versailles.

Imperial Japanese NavyNagato Class BattleshipsNaval Arms RaceNumber 13 Class BattleshipsTreaty Of VersaillesWashington Naval Treaty
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Question

How would Tillman construction affect Japan and the naval treaty ratio?

Short answer

Japan might accelerate the Number 13 class and, if limits were negotiated at Versailles, secure roughly a 10:7 rather than 5:3 ratio.

Notes

Japan might bypass or curtail Nagato-era construction and pursue the Number 13 class sooner. It also held a stronger negotiating position at Versailles than at the later Washington conference, where American hosting and intelligence advantages mattered. Japan's participation from the beginning of the First World War gave it additional standing in a 1919 settlement. A treaty made there could therefore yield something closer to a 10:7 ratio rather than the historical 5:3.