Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-09-12
u. s. IS DISCUSSED
IN JAPANESE DIET

! TOXIC, September 11.-Thero was a
debate in the japanese diet recently
between Premier Hara and a rep
resentative over the question whether
It was necessary for Japan imme-
diately to expend q large sum in an
attempt to keep abreast Of the United
states In the building Of warships
The discussion was briefly reported
| BY cable at that time, but the onieial
Ichixo Hattori. who. criticised the &C.
ton Of the Japanese government in
asking for q naval appropriation, and
the reply Of Premier Hara permit
OF . more comprehensive presenta-
ton Of the argument.
M. Hattori interpellated the gov:
eminent. asking why it introduced
| the present colossal estimates for
ORNAMENTS into an extraordinary ses-
| sion Of the diet which was called
| to discuss only such matters As per-
| mitted 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 a certain country. by a
certain country presumably the
navy minister meant the United
States" said Mr.. Hattori. TT must
l W ASAACuh0OACOs uVWSVSTe IuAk Ayu0y~
lea is trying to expand her Pacific
squadron simply because she mis-
| understands Japan.
Laboriag Under Aliseeneevtfon.
'sThe Americans are laborinr under
the misconception that the Japanese
are very dangerous people. welded
| to militarism and aggressiveness.
Being obsessed by this mistaken mo-
ton. they are anxious to complete
their naval ornaments against all
| emergencies on the Pacific. America
has always been a country which sets
| store by peace and I do not believe
the government thinks that she IL
doing all this for aggressive pur-
poses.
"supposing the present naval and
military estimates were carried through
| the diet. though they ought to be intro
duced in the next session Of the diet. as
measure not requiring very urgent at
tention. What impression would be.
! caused in America? Americans would
ascribe sinister intentions to the jap
anese diet which. notwithstanding an
| untavorable economic situation and the
restoration Of peace, went the length Of
| carrying the estimates through at an
| extraordinary session.
.,a1 Il an am not opposed to proper provi.
see why this program should not be de-
| Ierred to the next ordinary session of
| the diet.
Japan and America are the only
countries in the world which are going
IN for naval expansion. In my opinion.
| It 10 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 delay in the compile
| ton Of the naval program"
| No AgIreaafvA Ambition.
| In his reply. Mr.. Hara, the prime min
ist =; ; e .anernno,. - ,.v TIA. Jana,
is not actuated by any aggressive amhi-
| ton IN attending to the replenishment Of
| national defense The national defense
program takes into careful consideration
the number OF troops and warships
| needed to safeguard the country. No
aggressive Significance can possibly Be
attached TO tho replenishment program
and cannot think that any misundar-
standings viii be created In foreign
minds in this connection. Tho question
Of the replenishment Of national defense
has been outstanding for some years.
and, a. II fell through in the last session
Of the diet. owing to the dissolution Of
the house Of representatives. the bill has
been laid before the present session.
1T Is Impossible to say with regard
to any program that its delay for a year
| the government 10 convinced that, in view
Of tho grave Importance Of national de-
Tense. the program which has been out
| standing for some years ought to be at
tended to "a quickly as possible.
"As you are aware, Japan il now
among the ave great powers Of the
| world, and 1t 10 important for her to be
provided with ornaments to Commen-
surate with her position in world poll.
| tics. I feel sure that the present ma
| tional defense program win excite no
| mtsunderstandings abroad and that ia
pan WIN not b. oreditsd with any an.