The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1920-09-14
JAPAN DISCUSSING
LARGE ARMAMENTs

I0kiOs Aug. l0.--IneTe was Q6~ .
,ate in the japanese diet recently be-
ween Premier Hara and represen-
alive over the question whether it /
vas necessary for Japan Immediately /
% expend a large sum In an attempt
20 keep abreast of the United States
n the building Of warships. The dis
,ussion was briefly reported by cable
1t that time but the official report Of
The speech delivered by Ichizo Hat
tori, who criticized the action of the
government in asking for
naval appropriation and the reply of
Premier Hara permits of a more COM
prehensive presentation of the argu-
ment.
Mr. Hattori interpellated the gov
eminent asking why it introduced
ethe present colossal estimates for
ornaments 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 a
certain country presumably the navy
minister meant the United States, !"
said Mr.. Hattori 1T must be re-
mernbered, however that America is
trying to expand her Pacific squadron
simply because she misunderstands
Japan.
aThe Americans are laboring under
the misconception that the japanese
are very dangerous people, welded
to militarism and aggressiveness. Be
ing obsessed by this mistaken no
ton, they are anxious to complete
their naval ornaments against all
emergencies on the Pacific. America
has always been country which sets
store by peace and / do not believe
the government thinks that she is do
ing all this for aggressive purposes.
"Supposing the present naval and
military estimates were carried thru
! the diet, though they ought to be in
Itroduced in the next session of the
diet as a measure not requiring very
urgent attention What impression
would be caused in America Amer
jicans would ascribe sinister intentions
to the Japanese diet which. notwith.
standing an unfavorable economic sit
luation and the restoration of peace
went the length of carrying the es-
Inmates through at an extraordinary
Isession.
81 am not opposed to proper pro.
vision for national defense but dc
mot see why this program should moi
/ be deferred to the next ordinary SEES
Ision of the diet
Japan and America are the only
countries in the world which are go
ling in for naval expansion In my
Iopinion. it is too feeble an argumeni
to say that the. diet must approve thu
estimates at once, because America ]:
building many warships and because
the presentation Of the estimates Il
4 the next ordinary session would cause
/ delay in the completion of the nava
program. !"
4 In his reply, Mr.. Hara, the prim,
minister said:
ut is superfiuons to say tina
Japan is not actuated by any aggres
4 sive ambition in attending to the re
lplenishment of national defense. TIL,
national defense program takes int.
careful consideration the number o.
troops and warships needed to safe
Il guard the country No aggressive
,lsignifcance can possibly be attached
Ito the replenishment program which
lis drawn up with this in view and
lcannot think that any misunderstood
lings will be created in foreign minds
lin this connection. The question O.
i the replenishment of national de
Tense has been outstanding for som,
Years and, as it fell through in tn,
Hast session of the diet owing to tn
@dissolution of the house of represen
ltatives, the bill has been laid befor,
Il the present session.
i g It is impossible to say with re
Igard to any program that its della.
i for year or half a year is certainl.
lruinous, but the government is con
WINGED that in view of the grave i'm
DOEbdIlc0 O4 uAlIO1I11s u6lGISGs L11G pTO
gram which has been outstanding
flor some years ougt to be attended t
las quickly as possible.
4 AS you are aware, Japan is nov
among the five great pewers of tn
world and it is important for her +,
be provided with ornaments common
surate with her position in worl'
politics. / feel sure that the presen
national defense program will excit
no misunderstanding abroad an,
that Japan will not be credited witt
lany ambitious designs.
Why throw away 81 to SIS more d