The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-10
GREAT JAP NAVY
MORE IMPORTANT
Than NATL DEBT
Utilize Nations Sinking Fund
to Float Warships.
Naval Program Calls for Ex-
penditure of 1870 Million.
HAS EYE ON U. S. INCREASE
Japan's New Naval Bill Follows
q. s. Preparedness Act.
Lord of the Orient to Enjoy
Unparalleled Security.
Naval Program Calls for Ex-
penditure of 1870 Million.
HAS EYE ON U. S. INCREASE
BY RALPH II. TURNER.

Toxic, Feb. 10.-Expansion of the
japanese navy today is considered
more important by the government
than reduction of the country's ma
tional debt. This view was expressed
here by Kazuye Shoda, minister of
finance
Shoda's statement came as an ex-
PLANTATION and defense OF the Terauchi
ministrys announcement that begin
ming with the fiscal year of 191S-l9
and continuing until Japans seven
year naval program is finished. $1o,-
900, 600 of the s25,000,000 which the
government had set aside for the an
nual redemption of the national debt
will be used in the construction of
warships.
This decision means that the recent
restoration of the sinking fund to its
former figure of $25, 100000 is to be
for one year only and is contradictory
to the principle by which the Ter
auchi ministry increased the fund
from SIS, 100000 to $25.oo0.00o.
Peace Talk Hits Stock Exchange.
The recent peace talk and its de-
mora1ization of the Toxic Stock Ex-
change has just given Japan a taste
of what her condition will be after
the war.
Japan's new naval construction pro-
gram calls for an appropriation OF
three battleships of the super-dread-
naught type, two battle-cruisers and
several light cruisers. destroyers. aux
iliary vessels and submarines In the
seven fiscal years beginning 1e17-1S.
| With the conclusion of this program
| the Japanese naval authorities will
| have realized their long-chertshed
ambition of establishing eight battle
| ships and four battle-cruisers as the
unit of the nations fleet.
Fear q. s. Expansion.
Announcement of this program.
| coming on the heels of the bill which
will double the fighting capacity of
the American fleet, has created great
interest here. This interest has been
considerably heightened by the con-
tention of large section of the jap
anese press that the naval expansion
of the United States is directed at
Japan.
strengthen her sea power, even If her
national debt must suffer, there are
arguments apIenty both for those who
would justify her move and others
who insist it is an aggressive action.
Consider Japan's position in the
world. say members of the latter
| class. She is Lord of the Orient AL
ready equipped with a mighty army
and an efficient navy. she enjoys
position of unparalleled security. She
is firmly united in alliance with Great
Britain, the strongest sea power. and
| has Joined in a close agreement with
her near and powerful land neighbor.
Russia.
| There are many factors in defense
| of Japans naval policy. The end OF
| the war will see a readjustment of
power all over the world. II the
British and German navies come out
of the struggle approximately intact
| Japan will occupy humble piace in
the naval hierarchy, made all the more
humble by Americas great expansion
plans.
When the facts are kept in mind.
say the peace promoters, no one need
| be alarmed at the sum voted for
Japan's naval armament.