Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 23:40-24:31

If Japanese delegates exposed US eavesdropping

Proof of American listening devices could collapse the Washington conference and revive British G3 and N3 construction.

G3 Class BattlecruisersN3 Class BattleshipsNaval TreatiesUS PoliticsWashington Naval Conference
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Question

What if US listening devices were discovered in the Japanese delegation's rooms at the Washington conference?

Short answer

The scandal could collapse the conference, restart British capital-ship construction, and politically weaken the US building program.

Notes

Japanese delegates already suspected that their discussions were being monitored, but proof would turn suspicion into a major diplomatic scandal. The Washington conference could collapse under the resulting political pressure. Britain might then complete the G3 battlecruisers and begin the N3 battleships. In the United States, exposure of the operation could strengthen isolationist opposition and undermine appropriations for the American building program.