The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-09-19

United States in the building of warships.
 The discussion was briefly reported by
 cable at that time. but the ofr1ciaf re-
 port of the speech delivered bv Ichizo
 Hattori, who criticized the action of the
 Japanese government in asking for a
 naval appropriation, and the reply of
 Premier Hara permits of a more cornpre-
 hensive presentation of the argument
 Mir. Hattori interpellated the govern
 ment, asking why it introduced the pres-
 ent colossal estimates for armaments into
 an extra ordinary session of the Diet
 which was called to discuss only such
 matters as permitted of no delay
 The representative quoted Admiral
 Kato, minister of the navy. as having explained the "colossal estimates by pointing to the naval expansion scheme which was being pushed forward by a certain country. By a certain country presumably the navy minister meant the United States" said MT. Hattori. "It must be remembered, however, that America is trying to expand her Pacific squadron simply because she misunderstands ] Japan
 "The Americans are laboring under the misconception that the Japanese are a very dangerous people, welded to mili- tarism and aggressiveness. Beng obsessed by this mistaken notion. they are anxious to complete their naval arm aments against all emergencies on the ! Pacific. America has always been a coun- try which sets store by peace. and l do not believe the government thinks
 that she is doing all this for aggressive purposes.
 "Supposing the present naval and miii- tary estimates were carried through the Diet though they ought to be introduced in the next session of the Diet as meas ure not requiring very urgent attention. What impression would be caused in America? Americans would ascribe sinis- ter intentions to the Japanese Diet which. notwithstanding an unfavorable economic situation and the restoration of peace, went the length of carrying the estimates through at an extraordinary session. T am not opposed to proper provision for national defense but I do not sec why this programme should not be de- ferred to the next ordinary session of the Diet
 Japan and America are the only coun- tries in the world which are going in Tor naval expansion In my opinion, it is too feeble an argument to say that the Diet must approve the estimates at once, be cause America is building many warships and because the presentation of the estl- mates to the next ordinary session would cause delay in the completion Of the naval programme
 In his reply, MT. Hara, the prime min ister, said: U 'It is superfluous to say that Japan is not actuated by any aggressive ambi- ton in attending to the replen1shment or national defense The national defense programme takes into careful consider ation the number of troops and warshlps needed to safeguard the country. No az gressive significance can possibly be at tached to the replenishment programme which is drawn up with this in view, and cannot think that any misunderstand- ings will be created in foreign minds m this connection. The question of the re- plenishment of national defense has been outstanding for some years, and, as 1t fell through in the last session of the Diet owing to the dissolution of the House or
 Representatives, the, bill has been laid
 before the present session.
 Tt is impossible to say with regard to
 any programme that it's delay for year
 or half year is certainly ruinous. but
 the government is convinced that in view
 of the grave importance of national de.
 fense, the programme which has been