Treaty with safety valve.

There is, of course, an “if” in the new Three-Power naval limitation agreement. That it would be confined to three Powers, and that it would contain an “if” was evident weeks before the London Naval Conference closed. The three Powers (Britain, United States, and Japan) bind themselves to a certain degree of naval limitation “if” France or Italy (the Powers who do not sign this limitation portion of the Treaty or some other Power does not take such measures of naval construction as will compel Britain to free herself of the limitation. Being, after all, an island off the coast of Europe, and being therefore unable to clear herself of all European entanglements after the manner of the United States or Japan, Britain was compelled to insist on an “if” clause; or, as Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald calls it, a protection clause. Under this provision, Britain may legally and honourably withdraw from the limitation contract with the United States and Japan if she deems her naval position to be sufficiently affected by ships built or contemplated by non-signatory Powers.

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