Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-02-05
Japan Forsqkes National
Debtto Build Greater Fleet
(BY RALPH Il. TURNER.)

(BY RALPH II. IURNEh.l
TOXIC, Feb. 5.-Expansion Of the
Japanese navy today is considered as
more important by the government
than reduction of the country's ma
tional debt. This view was expressed
here recently by Kazuye Shoda, min
lister of finance.
Shodas statement came as an ex-
PLANTATION and defense of the Terau-
chi ministry's announcement that be-
ginning with the fiscal year 1888,
and continuing until Japan's seven
year naval program is finished, $1O,-
100000 Of the $25.OOO,900 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 re-
cent restoration of the sinking fund to
its former figure of $25.OOO,00O is to be
for one year only and is contradictory
to the principle by which the Terauchi
ministry increased the fund from $751;
900 to $25,OOO,000.
The recent peace talk and its demor-
alization of the Toxic stock exchange
has Just given Japan taste of what
the country's condition will be after
the war.
Japan's new naval construction pro-
gram calls for an appropriation of
$3.50, 320,S95. 1t is proposed to build
three battleships of the super-dread-
nought type, two battle-cruisers and
several light cruisers, destroyers, aux
iliary vessels and submarines In the
seven fiscal years beginning 1918.
With the conclusion of this program
the Japanese naval authorities Will
have realized their long cherished am
bition of establishing eight battleships
anr four battle-cruisers as a unit OF
the nations fleet.
The total appropriation of $3.50, 320,95
will be apportioned as fiilows:
1918, $7,164,6O4; 1888, SILL $685.
91s; 1920, $2O,S69, lib; 192O-21, $685.
55,S48; 1922, $27,57O,224; 1929,
$12, 466,429; 1924, $12,497.153
Announcement of this program, COM
ing on the heels of the bill, which
will double the fighting capacity of the
American fleet, has created great in
terest here. This interest has been
considerably heightened by conten.
ton of large section Of the apanese
pr ess that the naval expansion of the
United States is directed at Japan.
AS for Japan's determination to
strengthen her sea power, even If her
national debt must suffer. there are
arguments in plenty 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.
Stem is Lord of the Orient. Already
equipped with q 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 join
e in a close agreement with her near
and powerful land neighbor, Russia
There are m any factors in defense
Of Japan's naval policy. The end OF
the war will see a re-adiustment of
power all over the world. It the Brit
ish and German navies come out of the
struggle approximately intact Japan
will occupy an humble place 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 ornaments.