The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1920-09-22
JAPAN WANTS ).
LARGER NAVY
Heated Debate in Diet Over
Proposed Increase
SOME FEAR THE
UNITED STATES
Premier Defends Increase On
Ground of Japan's Growing
Commerce

Toxic, Sept. 16.-There was a de-
bate in the Japanese diet recently be
tween Premier Hara and representa-
tive over the question whether it was
necessary for Japan Immediately to
eXpend a large sum in an attempt to
keep abreast of the United States in
building of warshipS. The discus
sion was briefly reported by cable at
that time but the official report of the
speech delivered by IchiZo Hattori
who criticized the action of the Japa-
nese government in asking for a naval
appropriation, and the reply OF Pre-
mier Hara permits Of q more COM
prehensive presentation, of the argu-
ment. g.
Mr.. Hattori interpellated the gov.
ernment asking why it introduced
'the present colossal estimates for
armaments into an extraordinary ses-
sion of the diet which was called to
discuss only such matters as permit
ted Of no delay"
The representative quoted Admiral
Kato, minister of the navy, as hav-
ing explained the colossal estimates"
by pointing to the naval expansion
scheme which was being pushed for
| ward by certain country. by q
certain country presumably the navy
minister meant the United States"
| said Mr.. Hattori. 1T must be re-
membefed. however, that America is
rying to expand her Pacific squad
ron simply because she misunder-
| stands Japan.
The Americans are laboring under
the misconception that the japanese
re very dangerous people, welded
militarism and aggressiveness. Be
ng obsessed by this mistaken notion,
they are anxious to complete their ma
val armaments against all emergen-
oies on the Pacific. America has al
ways been a country 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
military estimates were carried
through the diet, though they ought to
be introduced in the next session of
the dietNas measure not requiring
very urgent attention. What impress
sion would be caused in America
| Americans would ascribe sinister in
| tentions TO the Japanese diet which,
Notwithstanding an unfavorable eco
nomic situation and the restoration
| Of peace went the length Of carrying
| the estimates through at an eXtraor-
| dinary session. q" 81.
Il am not opposed to proper pro-
vision for national defense but do not
see why this program should not be
4 lpfprrad
| Of the diet. ID
Japan and America are the only
| countries in the world which are going
n for naval expansion. In my opin-
ion, 1T is too feeble an argument to
say that the diet must approve the
| estimates at once, because America is
building many warships and because
| the presentation of the estimates to
the next ordinary session would cause
| telay in the completion OF the naval
program"
In his reply, Mr.. Hara, the prime
| minister said:
| 1T is superfluous to say that ia
| pan is not actuated by any aggres-
| slVe ambition in attending to the
| replenlshment Of national defense The
! national defense program takes into
| careful consideration the number of
| troops and warships needed 10 safe
| guard the country. No aggressive
| hgnihcance can possibly be attached
20 the replenishment program which
| Is drawn up with this in view and I
cannot think that any misunderstand-
ings Will be created in foreign minds
In this connection. The question Of
the replenishment of antional defense.
has been. outstanding for some years
| and, as it fell through the last session
| or the diet owing to the dissolution
or the house of representatives the
bill has been laid before the present
| session. -
1T is impossible to say with regard
10 any program that its delay for a
year or half a year is certainly rnin-
| Gus, but the government Is conyinc-
ed that in view OF the grave import
| ance of national defense, the program
which has been outstanding for some
years ought to be attended to as
quickly as possible.
"As you are aware, Japan is now
among the five great powers of the
world and it is important for her to
be provided with armaments to COM
mensurate with her position in world
polltlcs. l feel sure that the present
national defense program will excite
no MISUNDERSTANDING abroad and thar
Japan will not be credited with anv
ambitious designs.