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Article XXI of the Washtington Naval Treaty reads as follows:
Article XXI

If during the term of the present Treaty the requirements of the national security of any Contracting Power in respect of naval defence are, in the opinion of that Power, materially affected by any change of circumstances, the Contracting Powers will, at the request of such Power, meet in conference with a view to the reconsideration of the provisions of the Treaty and its amendment by mutual agreement.

In view of possible technical and scientific developments, the United States, after consultation with the other Contracting Powers, shall arrange for a conference of all the Contracting Powers which shall convene as soon as possible after the expiration of eight years from the coming into force of the present Treaty to consider what changes, if any, in the Treaty may be necessary to meet such developments.

The "Pocket Battleships" could be seen as a threat materially affecting the security of the United States. The other Great Powers all have at least a few ships (Kongos and Hood/Repulse/Renown) that can catch them and chew them up; the USA does NOT. Italy and France have tonnage available to use.

With Roosevelt in office, public works projects to get people back to work are a good thing...and putting a few shipyards to work is good in certain districts. In slightly different circimstances, might the USA want to invoke article 21 for the purpose of building a couple of new fast battleships, or, alternatively, a LIMITED number of cruisers with guns greater than 10"?
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